About Psoriasis > Treatments
Traditional Systemic Medications
Systemic medications are prescription drugs that work throughout the body. They are usually used for individuals with moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Systemic medications are also used in those who are not responsive or are unable to take topical medications or UV light therapy.
Systemic psoriasis drugs are taken by mouth in liquid or pill form or given by injection and fall into two categories: "traditional systemics" and "biologics." Traditional systemics have been used for more than 10 years. Biologics are a relatively new class of treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Learn more about traditional systemics