New research adds to growing evidence that biosimilars — lower-cost alternatives to biologic drugs — may be an effective long-term treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis.

A recent study followed 1,195 people treated with SB5 (adalimumab-bwwd or Hadlima), a biosimilar to adalimumab (Humira), for up to four years. The findings showed that 56.7 percent of participants continued treatment at the four-year mark, suggesting that SB5 offers ongoing effectiveness and safety​.

The study tracked individuals with psoriasis who started treatment with SB5 between June 2018 and August 2022. Most participants had not previously used biologic medications. Researchers found that:

• 73.5 percent of participants remained on SB5 after one year.
• 56.7 percent were still using SB5 at the four-year mark.
• The average treatment duration was just over two years​.

The most common reasons for stopping treatment included lack of effectiveness (13.3 percent) and side effects (12.6 percent), with most discontinuations occurring within the first year​.

Biosimilars: Less Expensive, Equally Effective

SB5 is one of a growing number of biosimilars to adalimumab. Biosimilars are near-identical versions of biologic drugs that are designed to work the same way as the original products. They are typically more affordable, making them a promising option for people who need long-term treatment for chronic conditions like psoriasis.

Previous research has shown that biosimilars perform about as well as the original biologics in terms of effectiveness and safety​. The availability of biosimilars could improve access to treatment and reduce healthcare costs for people with psoriasis.

Like all medications, biologics and biosimilars may cause side effects. Common side effects include:

• Injection site reactions
• Flu-like symptoms
• Respiratory infection
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headache

Rare but serious side effects include:

• Infections
• Allergic reactions
• Cancer
• Worsening heart conditions

If you have moderate to severe psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and are exploring treatments such as biologics, speak with your doctor. They can help you make an informed choice about which options will best meet your treatment goals.

Have you ever struggled with how to discuss psoriasis with others? This interactive guide can help.

Find Your Team

On MyPsoriasisTeam, the social network for people living with psoriasis, members share experiences, offer support, and discuss treatment options.

Have you used a biosimilar for psoriasis? How was your experience? Share in the comments below, post to your Activities feed, or connect with like-minded members in Groups.