Great question — these are two very different types of treatments, so here's a breakdown of each.
Icotyde (icotrokinra)
Icotyde is a once-daily pill that was recently FDA-approved for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults and teens 12 and older (weighing at least 88 lbs). It works by blocking the IL-23 receptor Show Full Answer
Great question — these are two very different types of treatments, so here's a breakdown of each.
Icotyde (icotrokinra)
Icotyde is a once-daily pill that was recently FDA-approved for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults and teens 12 and older (weighing at least 88 lbs). It works by blocking the IL-23 receptor, which is involved in the inflammation that drives psoriasis.
Some highlights from clinical trials:
- Around 70% of people reached "clear" or "almost clear" skin by Week 16
- About half reached complete skin clearance by Week 52
- Itch improvement was seen as early as Week 4
Common side effects include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Cough
- Fungal infections (like athlete's foot or oral thrush)
- Fatigue
More serious risks include a lowered ability to fight infections, so it's important to tell your doctor about any active infections before starting. GLP-1 Drugs (like Ozempic/semaglutide)
GLP-1 drugs are primarily used to manage blood sugar and support weight loss. They aren't approved to treat psoriasis directly, but there's growing interest in whether they might help indirectly.
Here's why they're being discussed in the psoriasis space:
- Obesity can worsen psoriasis symptoms, and weight loss from GLP-1s may help reduce flares
- GLP-1 drugs may help lower overall inflammation in the body, which could have a positive ripple effect on skin symptoms
That said, the research specifically on GLP-1s and psoriasis is still limited, so it's worth having a conversation with a dermatologist or doctor to see if they might be relevant to your situation — especially if weight management is also a concern.
4 days ago
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