Systemic treatment of skin conditions.
Systemic treatment is applied in severe, persistent and usually extended  skin problems, such as psoriasis and eczema, providing other therapies have been tried without success. Such regiments may not be a physician’s first option, because the prescribed oral or injectable drugs can produce serious side-effects. Systemic treatment may be combined with the use of topical preparations or phototherapy.
Patients under systemic treatment must be monitored on a regular basis for proper liver function. Another disadvantage of such regiments is that in many cases, the symptoms of the disease reoccur, as soon the medication is discontinued.
Below you can find in alphabetical order the most commonly prescribed medications for systemic treatment of dermatological conditions.
Use the "find online" links in the right column, if you want to be directed to relevant sites and buy your medication. A valid prescription may be required for your medication purchase. The www.aclepsa.com offers a detailed medical questionnaire as an alternative option and you should be prepared to fill that in.
 The standard policy of this site is to endorse generic forms of a drug, when these are available. Generic medicines contain the same chemical ingredients and have the same medical effect. The differences between a generic and brand-name drug are the name and the price. A generic drug can be up to 80% less expensive in comparison to an equivalent brand-named counterpart. For more information you can check the Frequently Asked Questions about generic drugs.
| Brand name |
Generic name |
Description |
Form |
Strength |
Source |
| Accutane |
Isotretinoin |
A retinoid vitamin A derivative used for severe forms of acne and psoriasis. It is also given for keratosis follicularis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, rosacea, leukoplakia and ichthyosis treatment. It must be taken under a doctor’s guidance because of its numerous serious side-effects. |
Tabs |
10mg
25mg |
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| Amevive |
Alefacept |
A biologic blocker of T cells, which are major immune protective factors. It is prescribed for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. |
Injection |
15mg |
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| Atarax |
Hydroxyzine HCL |
An antihistamine agent mainly used to ease general symptoms of seasonal allergies. The drug may also be used in cases of moderate or severe psoriasis. |
Tabs |
10mg
25mg |
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| Azulfidine |
|
See Salazopyrin |
|
|
|
| Cellcept |
Mycophenolate mofetil |
An immunosuppressant mainly used to prevent rejection of a recently transplanted organ. Alternatively, it is prescribed for psoriasis, lupus, kidney disease and rheumatoid arthritis treatment. |
Caps |
250mg |
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| Tabs |
500mg |
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| Susp. |
200mg/ml |
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| Injection |
500mg |
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| Cyclosporine |
An immunosuppressant drug used in severe psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and post operative organ transplant treatment, in order the risk for rejection to be minimized. In psoriasis, the symptoms reoccur, if the drug is discontinued. |
Caps |
10mg
25mg
50mg
100mg
|
find online |
| Enbrel |
Etanercept |
A biologic tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker which interferes with immune system response. It is used in treatment of Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, as well. |
Injection |
25mg |
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| Humira |
Adalimumab |
A tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which interferes with the immune system typically prescribed for rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. The drug is injected under the skin and it must be taken continuously, in order to maintain results. |
Injection |
40mg/0.8ml |
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| Hydrea |
Hydroxyurea |
An antimetabolite agent that
is primarily used in treatment of certain types of skin, blood and ovary cancer and alternatively, in management of persistent psoriasis often combined with phototherapy. |
Caps |
500mg |
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| Imuran |
Azathioprine |
An immunosuppressant agent used to prevent a transplanted organ to be rejected. It is also prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and ulcerative colitis. |
Tabs |
50mg |
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| Imuzat |
|
See Imuran |
| Lanvis |
Thioguanine |
An antimetabolite and antineoplastic agent that is typically used to treat leukemia but it may also be prescribed for psoriasis management, since it is as effective as methotrexate or cyclosporine is. |
Tabs |
400mg |
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| Methotrexate |
An antimetabolite, anticancer agent used in treatment of lymphoma and certain forms of leukemia. It is also prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and severe psoriasis. It interferes with cell growth and suppresses immunity. |
Tabs |
2.5mg
10mg |
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| Injections |
10mg/ml
25mg/ml |
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| Neoral |
|
See Cyclosporine |
| Prograf |
Tacrolimus |
An immunosuppressant used post operationally to prevent the rejection of a transplanted organ. Because of its properties, it may be prescribed to treat psoriasis. |
Caps |
0.5mg
1mg
5mg |
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| Raptiva |
Efalizumab |
A biologic medication approved for the treatment of psoriasis. It interferes with the immune system by blocking the action of T-cells. The drug is injected weekly under the skin and it should be taken continuously to maintain results. |
Injection |
150mg |
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| Rheumatrex |
|
See Methotrexate |
| Salazopyrin |
Sulfasalazine |
An anti-inflammatory agent used for treatment of psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. The drug must be taken under medical guidance, since it presents numerous side-effects. |
Tabs |
500mg |
find online |
| Soriatane |
Acitretin |
A retinoid vitamin A derivative used for severe psoriasis, ichthyosis, Darier's disease and erythroderma treatment. It must be taken under a doctor’s guidance, because of its numerous side-effects. The drug should be avoided prior and during pregnancy. |
Caps |
10mg
25mg |
find online |
| Trexall |
|
See Methotrexate |
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