About Psoriasis > Treating Psoriasis
Biologic Drugs: Fact Sheets
Enbrel (etanercept)
- FDA-approved for treating psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Patients give themselves an injection once or twice a week
- Taken continuously to maintain results
- May reduce the progression of joint damage
- Occasional blood tests are recommended
Humira (adalimumab)
- FDA-approved for treating psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Individuals give themselves an injection usually every other week
- Patients should be screened for latent (hidden) tuberculosis (TB) before taking Humira
- May reduce the progression of joint damage
- Occasional blood tests are recommended
If you take Humira and recently received a letter from United Healthcare indicating they will no longer
provide coverage, call 1.800.4.HUMIRA (448.6472) to discuss how to obtain or continue co-pay
assistance. Learn
Remicade (infliximab)
- FDA-approved for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn’s disease
- Given by three infusions in a doctor’s office during the first six weeks of treatment
- Later infusions repeated every eight weeks
- Patients should be screened for latent (hidden) tuberculosis (TB) before taking infliximab
- May reduce the progression of joint damage
- Blood tests are recommended on a regular basis
Simponi (golimumab)
- FDA-approved for psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Patients give themselves an injection one time per month
- Patients should be screened for latent (hidden) tuberculosis (TB) before taking
- May reduce the progression of joint damage
- Blood tests are recommended on a regular basis
Stelara (ustekinumab)
- FDA-approved for plaque psoriasis
- After two initial doses at weeks 0 and 4, patients receive an injection by a health care provider once every 12 weeks
- Patients should be screened for latent (hidden) tuberculosis (TB) before taking Stelara
- Occasional blood tests are recommended