Psoriatic arthritis does not have a definitive cure; however, treatments can help relieve symptoms and slow its progress. Your doctor can advise which medicines may best serve you while also offering advice about self-care measures such as exercising with rest periods, heat or cold therapy and physical or occupational therapy as self-care approaches.
Your doctor may suggest beginning treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These may come in pill or injection form.
Apremilast (Otezla)
Apremilast (Otezla) is an oral medication that works to treat both plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis by inhibiting an enzyme within your cells responsible for controlling inflammation.
Your physician may prescribe an older DMARD known as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) or another drug similar to it such as azathioprine (Imuran), to suppress your immune system in order to alleviate pain and swelling in joints.
Another promising DMARD, tofacitinib (Xeljanz), can block an enzyme responsible for inflammation. When other treatments don't work as expected, tofacitinib may provide effective relief of PsA symptoms like tender or swollen joints. Multiple studies have proven its success against this condition.
Biologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
Doctors typically prescribe DMARDs (drug-medication anti-rheumatic drugs or injections) to slow joint damage and inflammation, usually pills or injections. While results may take several weeks or months to materialize, you should continue taking them even if no noticeable differences appear initially.
These medications prevent specific cells in your immune system from inducing inflammation. They can also help clear skin lesions faster and accelerate healing processes.
Examples of DMARDs are leflunomide (Arava) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). Both medications can help alleviate symptoms while preventing flare-ups, providing another layer of defense against flares.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories) are medicines used to reduce pain and swelling, available over-the-counter or with a valid valid valid prescription (such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen) as tablets, or by other forms such as suppositories, creams or injections.
Doctors generally prescribe short courses of medication as treatment for PsA as it could trigger skin flare-ups; short courses of treatment may be prescribed instead.
These medications typically come in tablet form; methotrexate can also be injected. They work to target key components of your immune system to decrease inflammation. They're often the first medication prescribed to treat PsA; sometimes in conjunction with another DMARD such as leflunomide or sulfasalazine.
Steroids
Steroids work fast to quickly reduce inflammation. You can apply it topically or inject into joints for rapid relief. But these medicines may have side effects like brittle bones, weight gain, high blood pressure and diabetes - so doctors use them with caution.
Anti-inflammatory drugs provide relief for joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Available both over-the-counter and via prescription, anti-inflammatories should always be taken with food to avoid stomach upset.
Leflunomide (Arava), sulfasalazine (Rheumatoid Arthritis Rx) and azathioprine (Imuran, rarely prescribed) are medications designed to combat inflammation by suppressing your immune system, thus decreasing joint swelling. They may also slow or stop joint damage while providing some temporary relief of skin psoriasis symptoms; however they may only offer mild relief of skin psoriasis symptoms.
Surgery
Though surgery won't usually be required to manage their psoriatic arthritis symptoms, it may provide significant relief from pain relief, improved joint functionality, and enhanced appearance.
Your doctor can diagnose psoriatic arthritis by reviewing your symptoms and ruling out other forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid or osteoarthritis. They may order blood tests or X-rays as further confirmation.
Medication used for psoriatic arthritis works by suppressing the immune system to reduce inflammation. They come in pill, injection or infusion form and may differ from treatments prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis in terms of their effect on immune cells.
