Biologic drugs, or biologics, are given by injection (shot) or intravenous (IV) infusion (a slow drip of medicine into your vein). A biologic is a protein-based drug derived from living cells cultured in a laboratory. While biologics, such as vaccines and insulin, have been used to treat disease for more than 100 years, modern-day techniques have made biologics a viable treatment option for psoriasis in the past 15 years.

Biosimilars are modeled after an already FDA-approved biologic medicine or biologic (also called the “reference product”). They may be administered by injection or intravenous infusion. 

Oral treatments are small-molecule medicines that are taken by mouth. Unlike earlier pills used for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the latest oral treatments selectively target specific molecules inside immune cells.