Research on GLP-1s for psoriasis is still in its early stages, but some small studies have shown promise. “There’s growing evidence that GLP-1s may reduce systemic inflammation, which plays a major role in psoriasis,” says Hannah Kopelman, DO, a dermatologist in New York City who treats people with psoriasis.
In one case study, researchers gave GLP-1s to a 73-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and psoriasis. Four months after starting semaglutide (Ozempic), he had seen a dramatic improvement in psoriasis symptoms and reported a much higher quality of life.
Other studies on small groups have found the same — GLP-1s improve psoriasis symptoms, with or without diabetes. To solidify these results, experts say that future studies should include larger groups.
Why GLP-1s Work for Psoriasis
Experts think that GLP-1s may improve psoriasis symptoms by these methods:
- Moving killer T cells (a type of immune cell) away from psoriatic plaques (dry, scaly skin), which lessens local inflammation and balances your immune response
- Decreasing other T cell activity in lesions, which then lowers substances that cause inflammation
- Slowing your immune system’s signals, preventing inflammation before it starts
These medications can offer different results depending on a few factors.
“The effects of GLP-1s on psoriasis vary based on the degree of obesity and severity of psoriasis,” says Lindsey Bordone, MD, a dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. “If I have a patient who developed psoriasis after they became overweight or obese, then I am optimistic when prescribing a GLP-1 that, with weight loss, their psoriasis will go into remission.”
How Soon Will GLP-1s Lessen Psoriasis Symptoms?
You won’t see improved psoriasis symptoms the day you start GLP-1s, and responses vary widely, says Dr. Kopelman. “Most people report skin improvement around the 8- to 12-week mark, which tracks with the timeline we expect for systemic inflammation to start meaningfully decreasing.”
In some studies, participants noticed improvement in as little as 48 hours, but in other research, full results took months.
“I think the better way to look at it is about reaching a goal of improved metabolic health,” says Dr. Bordone, adding that for people with more severe obesity or diabetes, psoriasis symptom improvement may take longer.
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