Psoriatic arthritis, or PsA, causes swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. There is no cure for PsA, but lifestyle changes and medications can help manage symptoms.

Commonly used medications are:

  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
  • biologics

Biologics aren’t new, but they offer more advanced therapy now than ever before. New guidelines recommend these drugs as one of the first-line treatment options for PsA.

Inflammation typically causes the swelling, stiffness, and joint pain that defines PsA.

Biologics used to treat PsA specifically target different pathways in the body that create inflammation. This is different from traditional drugs, which target many steps in the immune system.

Depending on your psoriatic arthritis symptoms and medical history, your doctor may recommend one of several biologics for relief.

Traditional medications consist of synthetic components. They’re made from chemicals not found in nature.

Common drugs that people know and trust are created in a laboratory setting from nonbiological materials. Aspirin, for example, was modeled after a substance in willow bark, but it’s now made from synthetic materials.

Biologics, on the other hand, are made up of biological components. Scientists use whole cells, enzymes, antibodies, and other elements to create a drug with a very specific function.

Chances are, you’ve already been exposed to medical technology made from components found in nature.

If you’ve ever had a vaccine or received a blood transfusion, you’ve had a medical treatment that was created based on biological materials.

Because biologics are more exact when targeting cells, and mimic molecules found naturally in the body, they are generally more effective. They also have fewer side effects than drugs made from chemicals.

There are several options to treat your PsA with a biologic. These drugs can be grouped together by your doctor based on how they act in relation to the immune system.

TNF-alpha inhibitors

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a protein that leads to inflammation. People with PsA have excessive amounts of TNF-alpha on their skin or in their joints.

These five drugs are designed to block this protein:

They work by stopping the excessive growth of skin cells and inflammation that can lead to damage of joint tissue.

IL-12, IL-23, and IL-17 inhibitors

Interleukin-12, interleukin-17, and interleukin-23 are different proteins associated with inflammation. Five biologics currently available will interfere with the activity or with the corresponding receptor of these proteins.

These medications are designed to prevent inflammation:

  • Stelara (ustekinumab): IL-12/23
  • Cosentyx (secukinumab): IL-17
  • Taltz (ixekizumab): IL-17
  • Siliq (brodalumab): IL-17
  • Tremfya (guselkumab) : IL-23

T-cell inhibitors

In people who have arthritis, T-lymphocyte cells, or T cells, are activated, which can lead to a proliferation of these cells. Some people with arthritis will actually develop an excess of T cells.

These are immune cells, which we all need. But in large amounts, they produce chemicals that lead to joint damage, pain, and swelling.

Orencia (abatacept) is a medication that affects T cells. Orencia doesn’t reduce the number of T cells, but it does stop the emission of the chemical that causes symptoms by blocking T-cell activation.

JAK kinase inhibitor

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is another medication approved for PsA. It’s a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, which refers to a small molecule that blocks a pathway involved in the immune system’s inflammation response.

This medication is not technically a biologic, but your doctor may talk with you about it. It’s often grouped together with biologics in discussions about more targeted agents for autoimmunity.

Each PsA biologic is different. Each has its own potential side effects.

However, there are also similarities in this class of drugs. The most common side effect for all biologics is an increased risk of unusual, or opportunistic, infections.

In addition, TNF-alpha inhibitors may cause new or worsening heart failure.

If you and your doctor decide to try this course of treatment with a biologic, you may experience flu-like symptoms or respiratory infections.

Since biologics are given by injection or via an intravenous (IV) solution, you may also experience discomfort where the needle pokes your skin.

Biologics may lead to more serious side effects, such as blood disorders or cancer.

For these reasons, it’s a good idea to maintain a strong relationship with your doctor that focuses on open communication.

Together, you can talk about and decide on whether a biologic is the right treatment for your psoriatic arthritis.

Biologics are recommended for those living with moderate to severe PsA. But some people aren’t candidates for biologics.

That’s because the drug’s side effects may do more harm than good.

People with compromised immune systems or active infections shouldn’t take biologics for their PsA. These drugs suppress the immune system and can be unsafe if yours is already compromised in some way.

The cost and out-of-pocket expenses for biologics can also be a barrier for some people.

Biologics have introduced targeted treatment options for those living with moderate to severe PsA. Not all are new, but they are now considered a first-line therapy for treating PsA.

Talk with your doctor about whether biologics meet your treatment needs and are suitable for you based on your health history.