Skin

Medicines for Psoriasis

A long-term immune-driven skin condition in which skin cells build up too quickly to form raised, scaly patches — managed with creams, light treatment and, for more extensive disease, tablets or biologic injections.

Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

Quick answer

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated condition in which the skin renews itself far faster than normal, so cells pile up to form thickened, red or discoloured patches (plaques) covered with silvery scale, often on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. It is not contagious.

  • How it is treated: Treatment is matched to how much skin is affected, where it is, and the impact on the person, and it works in steps.
  • Self-care: Keeping the skin well moisturised, not smoking, moderating alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress can reduce flares and improve how well treatments work, and looking after heart and metabolic health matters because psoriasis raises that risk.
  • When to seek help: See your GP if patches are widespread, painful, rapidly spreading or not improving with treatment, or if you develop joint pain, stiffness or swelling, which may signal psoriatic arthritis.

What it is

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated condition in which the skin renews itself far faster than normal, so cells pile up to form thickened, red or discoloured patches (plaques) covered with silvery scale, often on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. It is not contagious. The tendency to develop it is partly inherited, and flares can be triggered by stress, infection (such as a sore throat), skin injury, smoking, alcohol and some medicines. It tends to come and go over a lifetime, varying from a few small patches to widespread involvement. It is more than a skin problem: it is linked with psoriatic arthritis, and with a higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and it can have a real impact on mood and quality of life. Diagnosis is usually made by a clinician examining the skin and nails, with a skin biopsy only occasionally needed.

How it is treated

Treatment is matched to how much skin is affected, where it is, and the impact on the person, and it works in steps. For limited disease, treatments applied to the skin come first and are the mainstay. When topical treatment is not enough, or disease is more widespread, phototherapy (controlled ultraviolet light) or systemic treatments are considered. Systemic options include long-established tablets that calm the overactive immune response, and, for moderate-to-severe disease that has not responded to or is unsuitable for those, biologic injections that target specific parts of the immune pathway. The aim is to clear or substantially improve the skin, control flares and limit the impact on daily life, while monitoring for psoriatic arthritis and overall health. Treatment is reviewed over time, as psoriasis fluctuates and may need stepping up or down.

For this condition, these medicines

Medicine classes used for Psoriasis

Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.

Topical corticosteroids Dermatology A first-line treatment applied to plaques; they calm the inflammation and redness, often used alongside other topical agents. Topical retinoids Dermatology A vitamin-A-derived topical option that helps normalise the rapid skin turnover, frequently combined with a topical steroid. Methotrexate Rheumatology A long-established systemic tablet for moderate-to-severe or widespread disease; it dampens the overactive immune response and is useful where psoriatic arthritis coexists. Interleukin-targeting biologics Dermatology Targeted injections that block specific immune signals driving psoriasis, used for moderate-to-severe disease that has not responded to other systemic treatment. Anti-TNF biologics Rheumatology Targeted injections that block a key inflammatory signal, an option for severe psoriasis and particularly useful when psoriatic arthritis is also present.

Symptom checker

Symptoms that can point to Psoriasis

Psoriasis can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:

RashA change in the colour, texture or appearance of the skin — itchy or not, raised or flat, …ItchingItching, known medically as pruritus, is most often caused by dry or irritated skin condit…Itchy bottomAn irritating itch around the back passage — often worse at night — that is usually caused…Itchy scalpAn itchy, sometimes flaky or sore scalp — most often from common, treatable conditions suc…Itchy earsAn irritating itch in or around the ears — most often caused by dry or eczema-prone skin, …Dry, flaky skinSkin that feels rough, tight, flaky or scaly because it is short of moisture — usually dow…Brittle or changing nailsNails that split, peel, ridge, crumble or change colour and shape — often simply from age,…

By active ingredient

Specific medicines used for Psoriasis

Dose-free guides to individual active ingredients used in psoriasis — what each is, how it works, how to take it, and its advantages and disadvantages:

MethotrexateA cornerstone treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and severe psoriasis that calms an overac…

Beyond medication

Lifestyle and self-care

Keeping the skin well moisturised, not smoking, moderating alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress can reduce flares and improve how well treatments work, and looking after heart and metabolic health matters because psoriasis raises that risk.

When to get help

When to see a doctor

See your GP if patches are widespread, painful, rapidly spreading or not improving with treatment, or if you develop joint pain, stiffness or swelling, which may signal psoriatic arthritis. Seek urgent help if large areas of skin become red, sore and shed, or if you feel feverish and unwell, as a severe widespread flare needs prompt medical assessment. If you take a tablet such as methotrexate or a biologic, keep up with your blood-test monitoring and report any signs of infection; methotrexate must not be used in pregnancy, so reliable contraception is needed, and biologics involve infection and TB screening before starting.

999Emergency — call 999 or go to A&E
111Urgent advice — call NHS 111 or use 111 online
GPNon-urgent — see your GP or pharmacist

Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.

Answers

Psoriasis: frequently asked questions

What medicines are used for psoriasis?

For limited disease, creams and ointments come first — topical corticosteroids and vitamin-D-related or vitamin-A-derived topicals applied to the patches. When more is needed, light therapy or systemic tablets such as methotrexate are used, and for moderate-to-severe disease that has not responded, biologic injections that target specific immune signals (including IL-based and anti-TNF biologics) are options. The choice depends on how much skin is affected, where it is, and your overall health.

Is psoriasis contagious?

No. Psoriasis is an immune-related condition and cannot be caught from or passed to another person by touch. It tends to run in families because the tendency to develop it is partly inherited, but you cannot spread it.

Can psoriasis be cured?

There is no cure, but for most people it can be well controlled. Treatment aims to clear or greatly reduce the patches and keep them settled. Psoriasis tends to come and go over a lifetime, so treatment is often adjusted up or down depending on how active it is.

Why does my psoriasis affect more than my skin?

Psoriasis is driven by the immune system, so it can affect the joints (psoriatic arthritis) and is linked with a higher risk of heart and metabolic problems. That is why clinicians ask about joint symptoms and encourage looking after your weight, blood pressure and general health alongside treating the skin.

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Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NICE CG153: Psoriasis: assessment and management.
  • NICE CKS: Psoriasis.

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