Alternative biologics

[Fishing1949]

Due to bad side effects of acitretin it has been suggested that I use either adalimumab or risankizubab of which it is reported that the latter has higher efficacy

Side effects of adalimumab appear to be predominantly headache and various bowel issues. Has anyone any experience of risankizumab?

[Batty1]

I have been on Stelara, Otezla, acitretin and Cosentyx.

Acitretin - Awful stuff

Otezla- Did not work for me

Stelara- Worked great (stopped for Thyroidectomy) restarted but was no longer effective.

Cosentyx- Works great - After 2 years its having break through skin issues.

Biologics are a trial and error type of medication ( I have not had issues). I think its smart to not stop biologics of ANY kind the back lash can be brutal.

I learnt this the hard way when my Endocrinologist stopped my Stelara prior to Thyroidectomy because they don’t understand this drug ... My backlash for doing it Psoriatic Arthritis so bad I spent 2 years home bound and I still have issues 4 years later.

[Fishing1949 in reply to Batty1]

Thanks for the info - I’m sorry to hear that you still have issues and I hope that they will be resolved in the near future.

I agree with you that acitretin is awful in terms of side effects While all drugs can have different side effects on each person, based on my experience I would suggest acitretin should only be taken as a last resort.

[chunkypie]

Hi. I was on Cosentyx which worked well for me on my Psoriasis but then developed psoriatic arthritis so was moved to adalimumab that has reduced my arthritis by about 80% but as not worked as well on my psoriasis .

Maybe i've been lucky but i've never suffered any side affects from my Biologics although cyclosporine nearly sent me to A&E due to sky high blood pressure to the point of nearly having a heart attack. Methotrexate didnt really work for me and gave me terrible brain fog.

[Fishing1949 in reply to chunkypie]

I cannot comment on arthritis but I am now on Skyrizi (Risankimumab). Injections weeks 0 and 4 and 12 weekly thereafter.Having had injections at weeks 0 & 4 my psoriasis is 99% clear (just two very small places on my scalp). This is a fairly new biologic and although so far working for me I know that every person can react differently. I can only wish you success with your psoriasis - I do sympathise.