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Should Biologic Therapy in Dermatology Be Interrupted During the Pandemic?

Reuters Staff  |  

“Currently there is no data describing the benefits or risks of stopping immunomodulators/immunosuppressants during the COVID-19 outbreak,” they point out. “However, each medication’s mechanism of action, administration method/frequency, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics are important to consider. Non-biologic medications including small molecule inhibitors and immunosuppressants are typically easier to stop and re-start within days to weeks due to shorter half-life,” they write.

They conclude, “Shared decision-making is needed when deciding on a treatment plan including immunomodulators/immunosuppressants during the COVID-19 outbreak. Patients with existing comorbidities may require more conservative measures. Physicians should continue to consult with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Information for Healthcare Providers, which is updated daily.”

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References

  1. Price KN, Frew JW, Hsiao JL, et al. COVID-19 and immunomodulator/immunosuppressant use in dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Mar 26. [Epub ahead of print]
  2. Lebwohl M, Rivera-Oyola R, Murrell DF. Should biologics for psoriasis be interrupted in the era of COVID-19? J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Mar 18. [Epub ahead of print]

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