Q:
What are the general side effects?
A:
Swelling and redness around the injection site is the most common side effect, but it usually subsides over time.
Q:
What are the safety concerns?
A:
The primary concerns for safety are an increased risk for infection and possibly cancer, particularly lymphomas. Both of these risks are likely related to the immune-suppressing nature of this drug family. The risks for infection can often be mitigated by being vaccinated for the flu and other common preventable infectious diseases, avoiding exposure to infectious agents, and being in good general health. While the risk for cancer is statistically significant, the risk associated with treatment is still pretty low. It is also important to note that these risks are also not unique to the biologic class. In either case, patients should discuss the potential risks and benefits with their doctor in order to determine the most appropriate course of treatment.
Q:
When should someone consider a biologic?
A:
One should consider the impact the disease has on his quality of life. Another issue is access. These medications are expensive and many insurance providers have rules regarding coverage that include how much of your body's surface area is affected. There are also other treatments for psoriasis, such as INVALID ARTICLE ID, light therapy, or other systemic agents that can also be useful. You have to make that decision with your physician, but generally a person with moderate to severe psoriasis is someone who should consider taking a biologic.
If your disease is not being controlled by the traditional systemic medicines, then considering a biologic is probably a smart thing to do.
Q:
Does the doctor you choose matter?
A:
You really should seek out a dermatologist or rheumatologist (if you have psoriatic arthritis) who has experience prescribing biologics.
Psoriasis:Treatment Overview
Health Journey
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