Fast Five Quiz: Psoriasis

The 2021 AAD guidelines address topical therapies, including the following:

Topical corticosteroids are recommended for plaque psoriasis in nonintertriginous areas.
Steroid-sparing agents (eg, vitamin D analogues, tazarotene, and calcineurin inhibitors, alone or in combination with steroids) confer lower risk for steroid-induced adverse effects; alternate use with steroids is key to long-term management.
Other topical agents (eg, salicylic acid, emollients, anthralin, coal tar) can be use alone or in combination with topical steroids.
Topicals combined with biologic or systemic therapies help increase the overall efficacy of therapy.

The guideline provides recommendations and efficacy and safety information on 12 oral systemic, nonbiologic medications, as follows:

Methotrexate: moderate to severe psoriasis in adults
Apremilast: moderate to severe psoriasis in adults
Cyclosporine: severe, recalcitrant psoriasis; in addition, erythrodermic, generalized pustular psoriasis and/or palmoplantar psoriasis
Acitretin: monotherapy or combination therapy with psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) or with ultraviolet light B (UVB); do not use in patients who are pregnant or intend to become pregnant or who are nursing
Other nonbiologics (not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for psoriasis): tofacitinib, hydroxyurea, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, leflunomide, tacrolimus, and thioguanine

The following phototherapy options are discussed in the guideline, with regard to dosing regimen, efficacy, and adverse effects:

Authors and Disclosures