• Excimer laser: With this form of light therapy, a strong UVB light targets only the affected skin. Excimer laser therapy requires fewer sessions than does traditional phototherapy because more powerful UVB light is used. Side effects can include redness and blistering.
• Oral or injected medications: If you have moderate to severe psoriasis or other treatments haven't worked, your doctor may prescribe oral or injected (systemic) drugs. Because of the potential for severe side effects, some of these medications are used for only brief periods and might be alternated with other treatments.
• Steroids: If you have a few small, persistent psoriasis patches, your doctor might suggest an injection of triamcinolone right into the lesions.
• Retinoids: Acitretin (Soriatane) and other retinoids are pills used to reduce the production of skin cells. Side effects might include dry skin and muscle soreness. These drugs are not recommended when you're pregnant or breast-feeding or if you intend to become pregnant.
• Methotrexate: Usually administered weekly as a single oral dose, methotrexate (Trexall) decreases the production of skin cells and suppresses inflammation. It's less effective than adalimumab (Humira) and infliximab (Remicade). It might cause upset stomach, loss of appetite and fatigue. People taking methotrexate long term need ongoing testing to monitor their blood counts and liver function.
Courtesy: Mayo Clinic
