What oral medication is now available on the NHS and how effective is it?
What oral medication is now available on the NHS (National Health Service in the UK) and how effective is it? I've had several phototherapy treatments over the last 15 years or so. So I am limited in this option. I'm hoping oral medication will a viable option?
Hi Stino,
Thanks for your question! There are quite a few oral medications currently available on the NHS: methotrexate, ciclosporin, acitretin, apremilast and dimethyl fumarate. There's a little information on all of these on this page from the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/treatment/ and you can click through to our detailed articles on these via this page (under "What are systemic medications"): https://plaquepsoriasis.com/medications/
I have just started on methotrexate myself, via the NHS, so if you have any questions about my experiences I am happy to share. Are you due to catch up with your dermatologist soon to discuss these treatment options?
-Catherine, Community ModeratorHello Chatherine.
Thank you for response,very much appreciated
I'm due to see my Dermo early December,and will go there with the information you have sent me.
I would be thankful for letting me how your treatment is going.
Very much hope it's going well!
Kindest regards
WayneHi Wayne,
I'm glad you have an appointment coming up with your derm - I know it can take a while to get in to see one at the moment. I hope you haven't been waiting too long for it !
I should start by saying that I was originally put on the methotrexate for psoriatic arthritis, but I have psoriasis too.
My psoriasis has been clearing in a kind of patchy way. Some areas are definitely flatter and less red. My scalp in particular seems much better than it was. My skin is not fully clear but I am on quite a low dose and my doctor does want to increase it when I agree to let him (this has been a bit of a journey for me and I'm struggling to accept that I need meds of this strength).
With regards to side effects I have not had anything major so far. About 48 hours after I take the pills I get about 10-20 minutes of very mild nausea. And I feel a bit groggy the next day after taking it. I started off by having blood tests every four weeks (some doctors like to do them more often - this is to keep an eye on how your body is coping with the medication) and now I have them done every eight weeks. All of my results have been fine so far. Obviously this is just my personal experience with only one of the drugs available.
I hope that's of some kind of help! Will you let us know how your appointment goes? And if you have any further questions in the meantime please don't hesitate to reach out.
Warmly,
Catherine, Community Moderator
