4 Reasons Your Psoriasis Treatment Might Not Be Working

Not all psoriasis treatments are effective for everyone.

Unfortunately, not all psoriasis treatments work for everyone, and even if they do work, their effectiveness can decrease with time. This isn’t unusual. There are several factors that can prevent your medication from working properly. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available for psoriasis, so if one therapy doesn’t work, you’ve got others to turn to.

Here are several situations to consider if you're not getting the treatment results you'd hoped.

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  1. You’ve missed a dose or two.

  It may not seem like a big deal to skip a dose or change the time you’re scheduled to take your medication if you’re busy or forget, but how often and how regularly you follow your prescription can make a big difference in its effectiveness. If you are having difficulty taking your medication or finding a consistent time to take it, speak with your doctor to see what adjustments might be possible.
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  2. You’ve been exposed to triggers.

  Some people with psoriasis have triggers that worsen their symptoms. Being sick or having an infection can trigger a psoriasis flare-up, as can breaking the skin, perhaps with a cut, burn or scratch. Other triggers can include stress, allergies, or even your hormones (for example, pregnancy can either improve or worsen symptoms). If it’s possible to remove or eliminate the trigger, your treatment may be effective again. If not, you may need to have your treatment adjusted.
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  3. You haven’t waited long enough.

  It can take a while before you see results from treatment for psoriasis. You may need to use creams or ointments for three to four weeks before there’s any obvious improvement. Oral medications like the immunosuppressant methotrexate can take three to six weeks, while cyclosporine (another immunosuppressant) or biologics may take 12 to 16 weeks before you notice any changes. Sometimes, you might even see a bit of a worsening of your symptoms before they improve, such as with ultraviolet B phototherapy. If you’re not seeing results, make sure you’ve given the medication enough time to work.
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  4. You’re taking other medications.

  Certain medications used to treat psoriasis don’t react well with other medications. Talk to your doctor about any other drugs you take, even over-the-counter medications, to insure they won’t interfere with your psoriasis treatment and lower its efficacy.
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  You’ve got options.

  If you’re not seeing results from your psoriasis medication, don’t despair; there are many available treatments for this condition. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and together, you can find a treatment that works for you. It may take some trial and error, but it’s likely you’ll find something that puts you in control of your psoriasis.