Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) has teamed up with actress, producer, and entrepreneur La La Anthony to highlight her personal experience with plaque psoriasis and inspire others to have open conversations with their doctors about how the condition impacts their daily lives. As one of the more than 6 million Americans living with plaque psoriasis, La La understands the challenges of managing the disease. Its symptoms can disrupt everyday moments and even influence choices like clothing or makeup.
In a new interactive video, La La shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how plaque psoriasis has affected her both personally and professionally. She emphasizes the importance of advocating for treatments that suit her needs and encourages others to do the same.
“I’ve spent a lot of time and energy trying different treatments for my plaque psoriasis, some of which were messy or inconvenient—like a prescription shampoo for my scalp psoriasis that required daily hair washing, which wasn’t practical for me,” said La La. “I was initially hesitant to tell my doctor that certain treatments didn’t fit my lifestyle, but I realized doctors can only help if they have all the information. I want to encourage people living with plaque psoriasis to speak up about how the condition and treatments are affecting their lives.”
Plaque psoriasis, though common, is often misunderstood. Many view it as a skin issue, but it’s actually an autoimmune disease triggered by inflammation within the body. This inflammation shows up as itchy, flaky patches on the skin, which may cover large areas or be confined to a few spots.
Studies show that patients with plaque psoriasis and their doctors often have differing perceptions of the disease’s severity, with patients frequently believing their symptoms are more severe than their doctors do.
Topical treatments, such as creams and ointments, are often prescribed for plaque psoriasis. While they may relieve symptoms, they only address the surface issue and not the underlying inflammation, and many patients find them inconvenient to use.
“Plaque psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition, and each patient’s experience is different,” said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Meagen McCusker. “The good news is that we now have a range of treatment options. For patients who find topical therapies ineffective or inconvenient, I recommend discussing treatments that target the inflammation at the root of the disease. Each patient’s severity and lifestyle needs should guide treatment choices—there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.”
To explore La La’s video, access resources for open conversations with your doctor, and learn about Otezla® (apremilast), an oral treatment option, visit MomentsWithLaLa.com. (Note: La La is not currently on Otezla treatment.
