Table 1.

Current topical drug therapy for psoriasis treatment.

Drug	Pharmacological Mechanisms	Side Effects on Skin
Calcineurin inhibitors	Inhibition of T cell activation and of pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis	Itching and stinging
Glucocorticosteroids	Anti-inflammation, anti-mitosis, apoptosis, vasoconstriction, and immunomodulation	Skin atrophy after long term use
Vitamin D3 derivatives	Regulation of keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis	Stinging, burning, and peeling skin
Retinoids	Normalization of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation	Redness, peeling, dryness, itching, and burning sensation
Keratolytics	Softening/hydration of the stratum corneum and desquamation of hyperkeratotic skin	Redness, swelling, tenderness, and pustules
Dithranol	Inhibition of keratinocyte hyperproliferation, granulocyte function, and immune response	Redness and irritation
Coal tar	Inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation and correction of the defect of keratinocyte differentiation	Redness, burning, itching, and skin staining
Ultraviolet B irradiation (UVB)	Alteration of cytokine profile, induction of apoptosis, and promotion of immunosuppression	Burning and itching
Psoralens plus ultraviolet A exposure (PUVA)	Inhibition of DNA replication and production of cell cycle arrest, alteration in the expression of cytokines	A risk for skin cancer