Medications That Can Trigger or Worsen Psoriasis
Coping with psoriasis, an immune-system disorder that causes a red, scaly rash, can get tricky for patients with additional conditions. Some medications, particularly those used to treat high blood pressure, bipolar disorder and hepatitis, tend to provoke psoriasis.
It's not clear why this occurs. In fact, research has shown that these drugs may cause or worsen your psoriasis regardless of whether you're also using medications to treat your psoriasis at the same time.
Therefore, psoriasis - which is almost never life-threatening, despite its potentially disfiguring or disabling lesions - may sometimes have to take a back seat as you treat your more serious illnesses.
Drugs That Trigger or Worsen Psoriasis
Genetics appear to play a role: Psoriasis runs in families, and certain medications trigger or worsen an outbreak in people who are genetically predisposed. These drugs include:- Beta blockers: Typically prescribed for high blood pressure, beta blockers - a common one is Inderal (generic name: propranolol) - have been extensively studied in relation to psoriasis. Those studies found beta blockers exacerbate psoriasis in about one-quarter to one-third of psoriasis patients who use them. The drugs also prompt new outbreaks in some people who never previously suffered from psoriasis.
- Lithium: Used to control psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder, lithium intensifies psoriasis in about half of those who have both conditions. A study published in 2003 indicated that it may be possible to blunt this effect in some patients by infusing them with intravenous omega-3 fatty acids while simultaneously using lithium and other medications. This isn't used very often, however, because it's possible to control psoriasis in most people with more conventional psoriasis medications.
- Anti-malarials: Used to treat malaria in addition to conditions such as arthritis and lupus, these drugs - Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), Atabrine (quinacrine), and Nivaquine, Avloclor, or Malarivon (chloroquine) - have been known to cause psoriasis flare-ups in some patients within a few weeks of ingestion.
- Interferons: Interferons are often used to treat hepatitis C (an inflammation of the liver that's caused by viruses). These drugs have also been found to aggravate existing psoriasis and trigger new cases.
Everyday Medications That Can Cause Psoriasis Flares
In addition, common medications used to treat everyday ills, such as pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen or the antibiotic amoxicillin, can also cause a flare-up of psoriasis.Doris J. Day, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center, suggests using "as little of each medicine as you can get away with" or trying an alternative drug.
Talk to your doctor about decreasing the dosage or frequency of any prescribed medication. In some, if not all cases, you may be able to try a different drug that doesn't affect your psoriasis. However, always make sure to consult a medical professional who knows your entire medical history before you make any changes.
Psoriasis Doctor Discussion Guide
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