Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
DMARDs usually treat the causes of inflammation and so may help improve your symptoms, help prevent joint damage and some may also improve psoriasis.
They are usually taken as tablets but are sometimes given as injections. It may take several weeks or months for DMARDs to improve your symptoms. It is important to keep taking them, even if they don’t seem to be working at first.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Your healthcare team may prescribe you NSAIDs.
These tablets block inflammation and may help reduce pain and swelling.
Steroids (corticosteroids)
Corticosteroids also reduce inflammation and can help reduce pain and swelling.
They may be given as an injection into the muscle or as a tablet if you have several inflamed and painful joints. If you have only one affected joint, your healthcare team may inject corticosteroids directly into the joint itself.
Biologics
Biologics treat the causes of inflammation by blocking specific parts of the immune response. They may help reduce joint pain and swelling, improve psoriasis in your skin and nails, and help prevent joint damage.
Biologics are usually given by injection. You will usually be recommended to take your biologic for at least three months to see if it helps.
Non-drug therapies
There are other ways to treat PsA. Physical and occupational therapy can help keep your joints working well.
This might mean working with a physiotherapist to find the best exercises for you, or with an occupational health therapist to help protect your joints from further damage.
Specific treatments for skin
If you have psoriasis with your PsA, your doctor may give you creams or ointments to put on affected areas of your skin, such as corticosteroids or vitamin D.
Your doctor may recommend light therapy, which uses ultraviolet light to reduce inflammation and stop skin cells growing too quickly. While these treatments may help reduce the redness and scaling in your skin, they do not reduce pain or swelling in the joints or protect from joint damage. Fortunately, many of the DMARDs and biologics used to treat PsA can also be used to treat psoriasis.
