What are DMARDs for psoriatic arthritis?

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are typically used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, but some DMARDs can help psoriatic arthritis symptoms too. In this video, rheumatologist Paula Rackoff, MD, explains.

Transcript

00:00

PAULA RACKOFF: The DMARDs or disease-modifying agents for psoriatic arthritis often overlap with those of rheumatoid arthritis

00:07

although there are some differences. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:22

For example, there's a medication, which is a staple of rheumatoid arthritis treatment called hydroxychloroquine or Plaquenil.

00:29

[MUSIC PLAYING]

00:35

And it's not as effective in psoriatic arthritis. And sometimes it can actually make psoriasis worse, but not always.

00:42

[MUSIC PLAYING] There are medications that have recently come out

00:50

just for psoriasis that seem to be

00:56

fairly effective for psoriatic arthritis. [MUSIC PLAYING] And they're not quite as effective

01:03

for rheumatoid arthritis. [MUSIC PLAYING] Methotrexate is really a staple medication

01:11

for both rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. And in general, it's tolerated very well.

01:20

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