Oral Therapy for Psoriasis: Valuable Insights from April in April!

In this episode of Derms and Conditions, Dr James Q Del Rosso is joined by Dr April Armstrong, Chair of Dermatology at UCLA, for a thorough discussion of oral therapies for plaque psoriasis—what’s new, what still works, and how to choose the right treatment for the right patient. They kick off with a practical discussion on older systemic options like methotrexate and cyclosporine, including when these tried-and-true agents still have a place in modern practice. From there, Dr Armstrong walks through the evolving role of apremilast, particularly in hard-to- treat variants like palmoplantar pustulosis and in patients with milder disease who prefer oral options. The pair then take listeners through the clinical data behind deucravacitinib, a selective TYK2 inhibitor, highlighting its strong efficacy, minimal lab monitoring, and newly released five- year safety results. The conversation also covers real-world patient selection, payer considerations, and how clinicians can use guidelines to support access to newer therapies. Whether you’re looking to refine your psoriasis treatment strategy or better counsel patients on long-term safety, this episode delivers practical pearls you can use in clinic tomorrow.