Psoriasis a chronic disease of the immune system in which there is rapid production of skin cells. A normal skin cell matures sheds in about 29 days. A skin cell in a patient with psoriasis takes only 3 to 4 days to mature and instead of shedding, the cells build up on the skin, forming red, scaly and itchy lesions. Psoriasis has no cure and is a disease that comes and goes. While certain medications provide relief from it's symptoms, others make its symptoms worse, or cause them to return during periods of remission.
Lithium
Lithium is a drug that is used to treat manic disorders and psychotic depression. In "Handbook of Psoriasis," author Charles Camisa states that skin reactions such as folliculitis are common with lithium. Also, the National Psoriasis Foundation explains that lithium aggravates psoriasis in about half of all psoriasis patients who take it. Since lithium does not worsen psoriasis in every psoriasis patient, it can still be prescribed for patients who have the disease. However, if a patient does react to lithium, the dose can be lowered and eventually stopped. Another medication can then be used in place of lithium.
Beta Blockers
Beta-blockers are a class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure and other diseases such as open angle glaucoma and angina--chest pain due to heart disease. Inderal is a beta-blocker medication and, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, 25 to 30 percent of psoriasis patients who take Inderal experience a worsening psoriasis symptoms. Other beta-blockers may have the potential to aggravate psoriasis, as well.
Indomethacin
Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. It may be caused by inflammation of the joints and symptoms include pain, redness, swelling and warmth at the affected joints. Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. According to the Skin Care Physicians website, Indomethacin can worsen psoriasis in some psoriasis patients. When this medication is taken as prescribed, its negative effects are usually reduced. However, other anti-inflammatory medications can be used in its place when treating psoriasis patients.
Antimalarials
Antimalarial drugs are used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus and psoriatic arthritis. They can cause psoriasis to return in psoriasis patients who are in remission, as well as cause new cases of psoriasis in people who did not have it previously. Examples of antimalarials that may cause psoriasis flare-ups are hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine and quinacrine.
References
- National Psoriasis Foundation
- Skin Care Physicians: Psoriasis Triggers
- "Handbook of Psoriasis"; Charles Camisa; 2004
