Table 1.

Common medication of psoriasis

Psoriasis degree	Suitable formulation	Common drugs	Drug action	Formulation features
Mild Moderate	Topical drugs	Corticosteroids Retinoids Calcineurin inhibitors Vitamin D analogues	Regulate genes transcription Inhibit the proliferation of cells Boost the differentiation of keratinocytes, etc.	Avoidance of first pass metabolism Avoidance of extreme condition in GI Reduction of systemic toxicity Direct access to target of skin High patient compliance Limitation in molecular weight/Log P of drugs
Severe	Systemic chemical drugs (oral)	Methotrexate Acitretin Cyclosporine	Immunosuppressive effect Anti-inflammatory Inhibit PDE-4, etc.	Convenient, Safe Slow absorbing velocity Unfit to unconscious patients
	Biologics (injection)	Ustekinumab Secukinumab Etanercept Stelara	Target IL-17, IL-23, TNF-α	High targeting specificity Few adverse reactions Safe Extremely expensive