HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Retinoids for Psoriasis
Why It Is Used
Retinoids are used to treat Reference erythroderma or pustular psoriasis. Topical medicines that you spread on affected areas of the skin are used for mild to moderate psoriasis. Oral medicines that you take as pills or capsules are used to treat severe psoriasis that is resistant to other therapies. As symptoms improve, the dose may be reduced and other medicines may be used for treatment.
Retinoids should not be used by women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant within 3 years after stopping retinoid treatment. The medicines are Reference teratogens Opens New Window, which means they can cause birth defects in a Reference fetus Opens New Window.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 9, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Amy McMichael, MD - Dermatology |
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