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. 2009 Jan 5;106(1-2):11–19. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2009.0011

Table 2. The treatment of psoriasis vulgaris (induction therapy).

Severity of psoriasis Treatment Effectiveness*1 Evidence level*1
Agent Administration
Mild*2 Dithranol Local ++ 2
Corticoids (class II-IV agents) Local ++++ 1
Vitamin D3 and its analogues Local +++ 1
Moderate to severe UVB Local +++ 2
PUVA Local +++ to ++++ 2
Acitretin Oral + 3
Ciclosporine Oral ++ to +++ 1
Fumarates Oral ++ 2
Methotrexate Preferably subcutaneous ++ 3
Efalizumab Subcutaneous + 1
Etanercept Subcutaneous + to ++ 1
Infliximab Intravenous +++ to ++++ 1
Adalimumab Subcutaneous +++ to ++++ (1)*3

*1 Assessment according to S3 guidelines (14); evaluation scale: – (poor), +/–, +, ++, +++, ++++ (good).

*2 Topical therapy is also used for moderate to severe psoriasis in combination with UV or systemic therapy.

*3 Assessment on the basis of published studies; because this agent had not been approved when the S3 guidelines were written, it is not evaluated there.