There are various approaches to treating PsA. The majority of the time, you will manage your condition through medications, though other alternative treatment methods may be offered, depending on your symptoms and their severity.

Medications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 

These medications can relieve pain and reduce inflammation in patients with mild cases of PsA. Available without a prescription, NSAIDs come as tablets, creams or gels.

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

DMARDs are medicines that help slow down RA and protect your joints from damage. While painkillers and anti-inflammatories help you feel better short term, DMARDs treat the underlying cause of RA — your immune system attacking your joints.

There are three main types of DMARDs – conventional DMARDs, biological DMARDs and targeted synthetic DMARDs which are described below. 

Conventional DMARDs

Conventional DMARDs, which are usually taken as tablets, aim to slow PsA progression and ease symptoms.¹ Conventional DMARDs work by broadly blocking the effects of chemicals released when your immune system is attacking the joints.¹ There are many different types of conventional DMARDs, you may have to try different types to find the one that works best for you.¹

Biologics and biosimilars DMARDs

Biologic medicines refer to medicines made from a biological source, such as living cells and organisms. “Biosimilars” is another term that may be used when talking about biologics. Biosimilars are biological medicines which are highly similar to the original biologic reference medicine in terms of quality, safety and efficacy. This means there is no clinically meaningful difference to the original biologic medicine. 

Biologic DMARD treatments, given by injection, are usually used in combination with conventional DMARDs and usually after conventional DMARD treatment has not been effective.¹ They target specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation more precisely.

Targeted synthetic DMARDs 

Targeted synthetic DMARDs are DMARDs that work to block signals transmitted in the body from the immune system. Like biologics, Targeted synthetic DMARDs target molecules related to inflammation, but these medications are synthetic rather than biological in origin.² 

Targeted synthetic DMARDs are tablets which are taken orally and, like biologics, are usually used in combination with conventional DMARDs and usually after conventional DMARD treatment has not been effective.¹

Other non-Drug Therapies

In addition to these medications, a doctor may refer a patient to a physiotherapist and/or an occupational therapist. A physiotherapist will provide a patient with exercises that help strengthen joints and prevent damage, whilst an occupational therapist can discuss adjustments that may be made at home and work to support a patient. Massage therapy can also offer relief.

Surgeries and other procedures

• Steroid injections involve the injection of steroid medication directly into the affected joint to help ease the pain.³ These include local glucocorticoid injections, although glucocorticoid injections will not be used for axial disease.³
• Joint replacement surgery may be offered for some joints which have been severely damaged by PsA, replacing the affected joint with an artificial one.

References

1. NHS England. Psoriatic arthritis – Treatment. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/. Last accessed April 2025.
2. Biologics vs. JAK inhibitors for psoriatic arthritis – Medical News Today. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/biologics-vs-jak-inhibitors-for-psoriatic-arthritis. Last accessed April 2025.
3. Arthritis Foundation – Treatment Options for Psoriatic Arthritis. Available at: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/treatment-plan/disease-management/treatment-options-for-psoriatic-arthritis. Last accessed April 2025.