disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (dmards) have been shown to slow the progress of psoriatic arthritis. it is hoped that by stopping disease progression patients with psoriatic arthritis will function optimally. available only by prescription dmards are more powerful yet slower acting than nsaids. your doctor will monitor you closely if you take a dmard to make sure you do not have serious side effects. methotrexate is a commonly used dmard for treating psoriatic arthritis. other dmards used to treat psoriatic arthritis include sulfasalazine and the newer biologic drugs enbrel humira and remicade. these drugs work by targeting the protein messengers of the immune system that cause the symptoms and joint destruction of psoriasis preventing the joints from becoming inflamed. biologic medications must be injected or administered intravenously. biologic medications can also make the immune system more susceptible to infections. depending on the severity of your psoriatic arthritis your doctor may prescribe medications such as retinoids puva (a light-sensitizing medication) cyclosporine or azathioprine.
how do dmards help treat psoriatic arthritis inflammation?