Whether you’re looking for a psoriasis treatment with fewer side effects than your current therapy or it affects your daily life, you may want to switch to a biologic. Speaking with your doctor can help narrow down your options.

Biologics are medications that target specific proteins within the immune system to slow disease activity at the source.

A healthcare professional either administers them via intravenous infusion at a clinic or gives you an auto-injector you can use at home.

Biologics currently Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved to treat psoriasis are:

Your doctor can help you decide which biologic may work best for you. Finding the right one may take some trial and error.

Traditional treatment options for psoriasis include:

These traditional treatment options, however, may become less effective over time. They often don’t work well enough for moderate to severe cases.

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests biologics if you have moderate to severe psoriasis that hasn’t improved using more traditional systemic treatments or can’t tolerate those treatments because of their side effects.

Biologics could be an option if your mild psoriasis greatly affects your quality of life. Even if your psoriasis is considered mild, you may have painful plaques on your:

The pain may prevent you from doing your usual activities. In these cases, switching to a biologic may be justified.

Many psoriasis treatments must be taken daily to be effective, and it can be hard to remember to take your medication on time. Biologics are usually taken less frequently.

Some biologics must be injected once per week, but others, like Stelara, only need to be injected once every 12 weeks after the first two doses.

You can also administer most biologics at home after training from a medical professional.

Psoriasis treatments are known to cause side effects depending on the type. For example:

Biologics are more selective than other psoriasis treatments and target specific proteins in the immune system associated with psoriasis. But biologics may still have side effects like:

  • minor irritation
  • redness or other skin discoloration
  • pain
  • reaction at the injection site

Because biologics target immune cells, you might be slightly more at risk of serious infections while taking one.

You may be able to add a biologic to your existing psoriasis treatment plan, too. Combining treatments can improve the effectiveness of your regimen, often at a lower dose, decreasing side effects.

Biologics are expensive. Most cost more than $20,000 per year. And not all insurance plans cover all or some of the costs.

If you’ve recently changed insurance, check whether your new provider covers biologics. Your out-of-pocket expenses may have decreased considerably, making it easier to afford them.

Similarly, if you change insurance, your new plan may not cover your current biologic or may require additional information to cover a biologic that you’re currently taking.

Biologics aren’t new. The first two biologics for psoriasis were FDA approved in 2003. Over the last couple of decades, researchers have gathered considerable evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of these medications.

You may be hesitant to talk with your doctor about biologics because you’ve heard that they’re “stronger” drugs. Or perhaps you’re worried they’re too expensive. Both of these are reasonable concerns to have.

Biologics are more targeted drugs, which means they work very well, but they may still have significant side effects. Your doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons of trying a biologic.

Don’t like needles?

If you’re afraid of needles, ask your doctor about a new treatment for psoriasis known as apremilast (Otezla).

Otezla is a pill taken twice daily. It’s not considered a biologic but rather a newer drug class known as PDE4 inhibitors. It’s FDA approved to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis when phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate.

Avoid biologics if:

  • your immune system is significantly compromised
  • you have an active infection
  • you recently received a live vaccine, such as:
  • you’re pregnant or nursing (though biologics can still be prescribed if there is a clear medical need)

Some biologics may be safe for people with compromised immune systems or available to people who are pregnant. Speak with your doctor to determine if you should or shouldn’t take biologics.

Biologics have been around for decades, and research continues to expand. More treatment options will likely be available soon.

Switching psoriasis treatments is a common and accepted practice. You may be considering switching because traditional treatments aren’t working, you’re looking to take fewer doses, or the side effects of your current therapy are difficult to manage.

Now could be a good time to start thinking about biologic therapy. For a positive outcome, decide to start a biologic for psoriasis alongside your doctor.