Antipsoriatics

What are Antipsoriatics?

Antipsoriatics are agents that are either taken orally or applied locally on the skin to treat psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition with itchy, dry scaly patches. These agents have different modes of action but in due course they work to control psoriasis.

Systemic treatments, aimed at those with varying degrees of psoriasis and psoriatic disease severity, are prescription drugs that work throughout the body. They are also used in those who are not responsive or are unable to tolerate topical treatments or phototherapy.

Corticosteroids. These drugs are the most frequently prescribed medications for treating mild to moderate psoriasis. They are available as oils, ointments, creams, lotions, gels, foams, sprays and shampoos.

There are several modern drugs available for the treatment of psoriasis, some of them are of natural origins, and also there have been a number of natural products identified as potential ‘leads’ for antipsoriatic drug development. 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP, also known as xanthotoxin), a well-known natural furanocoumarin mainly from plants of the families, Apiaceae and Rutaceae, has revolutionized psoriasis treatment; 8-MOP (oral or topical) combined with UVA exposure (photochemotherapy, PUVA) is one of the oldest and most effective therapy for psoriasis.