Psoriasis Forum Journal

A Review of Drugs That Induce or Exacerbate Psoriasis

Julie Hong, Daniel Bernstein, BS

ABSTRACT
Background: Psoriasis is a common disorder of the skin, immune system, and joints that is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. It can be aggravated or induced by drugs.
Objectives: To identify the major drugs implicated in inducing or exacerbating psoriasis and to discuss their characteristics.
Methods: We performed a PubMed literature search for reviews and case reports on drugs that exacerbate or induce psoriasis.
Articles were screened by title and abstract and then examined for their findings and references.
Results: Drugs most often reported to exacerbate or induce psoriasis were β-blockers, lithium, synthetic antimalarials, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, interferons, tetracyclines, tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, and steroid withdrawal.
Conclusions: Characterizing drugs that induce or exacerbate psoriasis by latency and type of psoriatic eruption can help guide clinical reasoning. Although a relatively uncommon occurrence, psoriatic lesions can be caused by drugs, allowing astute physicians to recognize and change their management plans accordingly.

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