[Internal treatment of psoriasis--a review]

Psoriasis has been treated systemically through most of this century, originally with arsenics, which have been given up due to their carcinogenic effect. Later glucocorticoids were used, but were then abandoned on account of their high frequency of side effects and the appearance of the rebound phenomenon. Cytostatic drugs have been employed for nearly 25 years. Methotrexate is the most common preparation. Methotrexate requires a normal liver-, kidney- and bone marrow function. Pregnancy is an absolute contraindication. Photochemotherapy with oral methoxalen and long wave ultraviolet light is a new treatment which seems promising. This regime, however, is still at a stage of clinical trial.