Most Popular Psoriasis Medications
high drug prices
Skin conditions like psoriasis are often painful to live with — both physically and socially. It’s easy for people who don’t know any better to believe that psoriasis plaques are contagious. There’s a stigma surrounding skin conditions that is entirely based on lack of knowledge, and that makes it even harder for people to live with these difficult conditions.
The good news for people diagnosed with psoriasis is that there are plenty of solutions available to them. Some are more expensive than others (and some take more time than others), but overall, they’re quite effective.
Here’s what you need to know about psoriasis, and 9 popular psoriasis medications that we frequently sell to satisfied customers.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a condition caused by a hyperactive immune system that typically presents itself on the skin, though in certain cases, it affects different areas of the body. There are eight different types of psoriasis, all of which look different.
- Plaque Psoriasis - patches of raised, red skin with silver or white scales on top (most common form of psoriasis)
- Guttate - small pink or red dots
- Inverse - patches of bright red skin that is smooth and shiny (no scales)
- Pustular - pockets of pus surrounded by red skin, sometimes also accompanied by flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, nausea, muscle weakness) and is not very common
- Palmoplantar - raised, thick skin (typically on palms of hands and bottoms of feet) that leaves behind red, irritated skin when sloughed off
- Erythrodermic - red skin that appears to be burned, and over large portions of the body. This type of psoriasis is rare, but very serious.
- Nail - changes in the nail that make them appear brittle or scaly, or even disconnect from the nail bed. This type of psoriasis is more common among people with psoriatic arthritis.
- Psoriatic Arthritis - arthritis in addition to psoriasis resulting in painful, stiff joints (particularly after periods of inactivity), swelling, and hot (sometimes discovered) skin
Each type of psoriasis has different triggers and causes, so it’s important to understand which type you have in order to best manage the condition.
Aside from environmental triggers, there are sometimes medications and activities that can aggravate psoriasis. For example, inverse psoriasis tends to present in areas that already get a lot of friction, such as armpits, groins, under breasts, and in skin folds. Flare ups can occur because of activities that cause additional friction in these areas, such as exercise or sweating.
Fortunately, there are many medications that can help people who are struggling with pain or discomfort due to psoriasis patches or flare ups. Here are 9 of the most common psoriasis treatments.
Soriatane
Soriatane (acitretin) is an oral retinoid that can be used to treat some forms of psoriasis, such as guttate, pustular, erythrodermic, palmoplantar, and (most commonly) plaque psoriasis. Acitretin is derived from vitamin A, which speeds up the natural healing of the skin. Retinoids are often used to treat acne because they help cell turnover, which can lead to clearer skin.
With plaque psoriasis, what happens is that cells are turning over so quickly that the old skin cells can’t slough off fast enough. This accumulation of cells turns into “plaques” that look red and scaly.
What Soriatane does is slow down the production of new cells so that the accumulation of cells can be reduced. Even when used as treatment for guttate, pustular, erythrodermic, or palmoplantar psoriasis, Soriatane can still help flare ups.
Despite the fact that there’s a generic available, Soriatane is still quite expensive. In the United States, you can expect to pay a cash price of about $1,400.00 for a 30-day supply of brand name Soriatane (10 mg), which is about $46.67 per pill. The generic is more affordable, coming in at about $100.00 per month, or about $3.33 per pill.
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy a 30-day supply of brand name Soriatane starting at about $85.00 (about $2.83 per pill). Of course, our generic acitretin is also more affordable, starting off at about $51.00 for a 20-day supply ($2.55 per pill).
Dovonex Ointment (Calcipotriol)
Dovonex Ointment (calcipotriene/calcipotriol) is a synthetic form of vitamin D that is sometimes used to topically treat plaque psoriasis. Calcipotriol helps flatten and clear the plaques so that the skin can heal and return to normal, but in the process, it also helps alleviate itching and redness. It often takes a few weeks for the effects of Dovonex to completely manifest, so it’s important to be patient.
Dovonex will also work in conjunction with an oral psoriasis treatment like Soriatane to slow down the production of new skin cells so that the old ones slough off, preventing new plaques from forming.
In the United States, you’re unlikely to find brand name Dovonex. You’ll probably find the generic calcipotriene or calcipotriol, but it’s still rather expensive. For a 60-gram tube of generic calcipotriene, you’re likely to pay at least $162.00.
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, buy a 60-gram tube of brand name Dovonex for just $70.00.
Dovonex Scalp Solution
Dovonex Scalp Solution (calcipotriene/calcipotriol) is made of the same active ingredient as Dovonex Ointment but is formulated for scalp psoriasis treatment. Ointment isn’t particularly useful for the scalp because of the hair, but liquid solution will more easily reach the scalp.
In the U.S., a 60mL bottle of generic calcipotriene/calcipotriol starts at about $180.00.
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, buy the same size bottle of brand name Dovonex Scalp Solution for just $67.00.
Dovobet Ointment / Taclonex
Not to be confused with the similarly named Dovonex, Dovobet Ointment (betamethasone dipropionate/calcipotriene) is a topical corticosteroid that is sometimes used to treat psoriasis when other treatments have been ineffective. Dovobet is a rather potent psoriasis drug and should not be used when there is not an active flare up.
In the United States, Dovobet is called Taclonex. They’re the same medication and are completely interchangeable. Of course, in the U.S., it’s also far more expensive.
You can expect to pay a cash price of at least $400.00 for the generic version of betamethasone dipropionate/calcipotriene (about $4.00 per gram).
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy a 120-gram tube of brand name Dovobet for about $285.00 (about $2.38 per gram). You can also purchase Dovobet in smaller quantities (30, 60 and 90 grams).
Derma Smoothe FS Scalp Oil
Derma Smoothe FS Scalp Oil (fluocinolone acetonide) is a low potency topical corticosteroid specially formulated to treat plaque psoriasis patches on the scalp. While psoriasis plaques can be easily reached in most places on the body, the scalp presents additional challenges because of the hair in the way.
Furthermore, plaques on the scalp can be particularly itchy and make people even more self-conscious of their flare ups. This further necessitates the demand for effective scalp psoriasis treatment.
Derma Smoothe FS Scalp Oil can be used more frequently during flare ups (as directed by your physician) and is often used once every week or two as a regular maintenance medication. Again, always defer to your prescribing physician on these matters.
In the U.S., you could pay as much as $180.00 for a 118mL bottle of Derma Smoothe FS Scalp Oil or one of the generic treatments.
At NothWestPharmacy.com, you can buy a 118mL bottle of brand name Derma Smoothe FS Scalp Oil for just $58.00.
Clobex Spray
Clobex Spray (clobetasol propionate) is a synthetic corticosteroid designed to alleviate symptoms of plaque psoriasis so the patches can heal and disappear, including redness, itching, and discomfort.
Like most corticosteroids, Clobex Spray is designed to suppress inflammation by activating enzymes called lipocortins. Lipocortins help slow down the progression of inflammation. Clobex stay will help treat symptoms while getting inflammation under control, which can cause additional discomfort.
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you’re able to buy Clobex Spray starting at about $154.00 for a 59mL bottle.
Enstilar Aerosol Foam
Enstilar Aerosol Foam (calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate) is a combination psoriasis treatment. As we’ve described above, the calcipotriol (vitamin D) slows down the rate at which the body creates new cells before the old skin can slough them off. The betamethasone dipropionate is a potent steroid that can help treat symptoms and suppress the immune response.
Foam is a versatile substance that could theoretically be used on the body, as well as the scalp. As always, use as your prescribing physician has directed.
Enstilar isn’t easy to find in the U.S., but you can buy a 60-gram bottle at NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $145.00.
Locoid Lipocream
Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) is a potent steroid that can help alleviate symptoms of inflammation associated with plaque psoriasis.
Locoid Lipocream is nearly identical to Locoid Lotion, but their formulation is different enough for physicians and patients to have a preference that changes with circumstances. Locoid Lipocream seems to be more suitable for a wider range of skin conditions and some think that it absorbs into the skin better.
In the United States, a 60-gram tube of generic hydrocortisone butyrate costs an average of about $400.00.
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy a 60-gram tube of brand name Locoid Lipocream for about $115.00.
Lidex Cream
Lidex Cream (fluocinonide), called Tiamol in Canada, is a high potency glucocorticoid steroid (a classification of corticosteroids) that is sometimes used to treat the symptoms of psoriasis, such as inflammation, redness, and itching. Lidex Cream is also popular for the treatment of eczema.
Two of the major reasons people seem to like Lidex Cream is that it helps hydrate and soften the scales of psoriasis plaques, and that the texture lends itself to easy absorption (it’s also light and not greasy).
In the U.S., a 60-gram tube of even generic fluocinonide can cost upwards of $100.00.
But at NorthWestPharmacy.com, you’re able to buy a 60-gram tube of brand name Lidex Cream for about $51.00.
Online Pharmacies Can Save You Money on Psoriasis Treatment
Every medication works differently for every person. Our body chemistries are all unique, and in dealing with skin conditions like psoriasis, we have the added issue of varying skin sensitivity. Just as with any other prescription medication, finding the right one for you and your circumstances may take a bit of time and patience.
While you and you’re physician are working out which psoriasis treatment is best for you, we’re here to help you save money on your medication. We have plenty of psoriasis medications at a cheaper price than what you’d find in the U.S.
This may be the first time you’re researching Canada’s online pharmacies and international drugstores, and if that’s the case, you may also find yourself to be nervous. That’s perfectly normal — many of our first-time customers express such feelings to us on the phone. Buying Canadian drugs online and international ones can be just as safe as your local pharmacy, and that we do everything within our power to ensure your safety.
We adhere to strict safety standards as set forth by two pharmacy associations: The Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) and the International Pharmacy Association of British Columbia (IPABC).
Furthermore, in our quest to always have the lowest possible price for your medication, we source from various suppliers, and we only use suppliers and pharmacies that are also following these strict guidelines. That way, we can be assured that the supply chain was up to standards the whole way through.
Additionally, we’re pretty emphatic about our customer service. We’re one of the few online businesses that still runs a local call center with real humans seven days a week. Our knowledgeable customer service representatives are available to answer your questions, look for your medication if you can’t find it, and even help you place an order.
Of course, if you have questions or concerns outside of our regular call center hours, you can always email us.
We also have a significant number of international and Canadian pharmacy articles on various topics all geared toward educating people about medications, the healthcare industry, and why everything is so expensive.
And if you need further assurance that we are the best online pharmacy out there, check out our website, where you can read over 400,000 reviews from real customers who are not only happy with their experience with NorthWestPharmacy.com, they would recommend us to others and plan to return for their next refill.
When you’re ready to place an order, or if you’d like to ask questions, feel free to give us a call at 1-866-539-5330, or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!
