Medication for Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a kind of arthritis that affects people with the skin condition psoriasis, which causes flaky, oozing skin lesions. The inflammation resulting from the psoriasis prompts swelling, inflammation and stiffness in the joints. This condition cannot be cured but only managed. Without proper treatment, psoriatic arthritis can be disabling. A variety of medications are available that treat mild to severe forms. Some natural treatments have also proven effective at relieving symptoms.

Steroids and NSAIDs

• Steroids and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are effective pain relievers for more mild cases of psoriatic arthritis.

  NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen are usually the first line of defense in treating pain, swelling, and stiffness. A doctor can prescribe stronger doses than are available over-the-counter if standard doses are insufficient. This class of drugs causes stomach and intestinal, and if used long-term, can cause ulcers and stomach bleeding. This treatment is usually best for people with a minor case.

  Doctors also prescribe corticosteroids orally or through injection for mild forms of the disease that cause occasional flare-ups of joint pain. Steroids can provide instantaneous relief and the effects often last for months at a time. Steroids, while extremely effective for fast-acting relief, can have serious side effects so they are not ideal for frequent use.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

• Unlike the above treatments, DMARDs not only treat pain but help reduce the amount of joint damage. These drugs have a longer onset of action and you may not feel the benefits for weeks or sometimes months. This delayed relief will usually prompt a doctor to dispense a pain reliever along with the medication until it takes full effect.

Immunosuppressants

• Immunosuppressants are reserved for severe cases of this condition because they can cause dangerous side effects like weakening the body's defenses against serious infection and disease. These drugs suppress your immune system, which is supposed to shield the body from dangerous organisms. But in conditions like psoriatic arthritis the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

TNF-alpha inhibitors

• This is another treatment only employed in serious cases. These drugs act against a particular protein that prompts inflammation in several forms of arthritis. Their effectiveness at controlling inflammation relieves symptoms of psoriasis as well. TNF-alpha inhibitors are powerful and carry the risk of severe, sometimes life-threatening side effects. This form of treatment is only recommended when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Natural treatments

• According to the Mayo Clinic, several natural substances demonstrated effectiveness against symptoms of arthritis. If you decide to use supplement,s be sure to discuss this with your doctor to determine appropriate dosages and to make sure they will not interact negatively with any conventional medicines you might be taking.

  Beta-cryptoxanthin, one of the carotenoids that are a precursor to vitamin A, and zinc appear to act against arthritis. Rich sources of beta-cryptoxanthin include red bell peppers, papaya, oranges, corn and watermelon. Zinc is abundant is liver, sesame and pumpkin seeds, yogurt and shrimp.

  Glucosamine and chondroitin strengthen cartilage, which can relieve arthritis symptoms and improve range of motion. Chondroitin can also be beneficial for treating psoriasis.

  Fish oil has been studied extensively as a treatment for arthritis and has proven effective at relieving the associated pain, swelling and stiffness. A natural anti-inflammatory, studies observed it increases the effectiveness of other anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, according to the Mayo Clinic.