Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that affects over 125 million people worldwide. It causes the skin to crack and bleed and the scales form red patches on the body. There is no known cure for psoriasis, but there are ways to manage it. One of these ways is through the use of special medications called biologics which can help reduce symptoms and flares by boosting your immune system.
Biologics are special medicines made from proteins or antibodies that target specific cells in the body without damaging them. The drug we’ll be discussing today has been found to be effective in treating psoriasis, especially if combined with other treatments like ultraviolet light therapy or topical steroids. This drug is called Skyrizi, and you may have never heard of it before because it’s not approved by the FDA for treatment of psoriasis yet.
What Is Skyrizi?
Skyrizi (brodalumab) is a type of drug called a biologic. Biologics are special medicines made from proteins or antibodies that target specific cells in the body without damaging them. These drugs are often used to treat conditions like psoriasis that are not helped by other therapies. Biologics are some of the most effective treatments for psoriasis, but they can also be some of the most expensive and have the potential to cause side effects.
The FDA has approved brodalumab to treat psoriasis, but they have not approved it to treat other conditions that it may help, including psoriatic arthritis. Biologics are often given as injections or injections under the skin.
How does Skyrizi Help Treat Psoriasis?
Brodalumab helps treat psoriasis by decreasing the activity of overactive immune cells in the skin that cause the psoriasis symptoms. This is done by slowing down the activity of cells that create an inflammatory response called T cells or T-cells.
When these cells are less active, they can’t produce cytokines that trigger an immune response, which means they can’t trigger psoriasis symptoms. Brodalumab has also been shown to work even better when combined with other treatments, like ultraviolet light therapy or topical steroids.
How do You Use Skyrizi to Treat Psoriasis?
Since brodalumab has not been approved by the FDA for treating psoriasis, you will need to ask your doctor to prescribe it off-label. While there is no officially established prescription for brodalumab, many physicians suggest a dosage of 600 mg injected under the skin every two weeks.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may need to increase the dosage. If you’re planning to use this drug along with ultraviolet light therapy, you should do so seven to 10 days after your injection. If you’re planning to use this drug along with topical steroid treatment, you should do so 14 days after your injection.
Brodalumab may have some side effects, including joint pain, headache, itching, rash, and swelling. If you experience any of these symptoms or others, you should call your doctor right away. While most side effects are mild, some people may experience severe complications, including severe allergic reactions, worsening psoriasis, or infections. Yes, this treatment can come with side effects, but it also has the potential to help treat psoriasis.
Final Words: Is Skyrizi Worth Trying?
If you’re someone who suffers from psoriasis, you know how difficult it can be to manage this chronic condition. Skyrizi is a drug that has the potential to help treat psoriasis, but it’s not approved by the FDA for this use. If you do decide to try this drug, you should be aware that it has the potential to cause side effects. You should also be mindful that you may not see results for a few months. If you’re interested in trying this drug to treat psoriasis, talk to your doctor about the side effects and benefits of this treatment.