Brand Name
Dovonex
Common Name
calcipotriol
In this drug factsheet:
How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Calcipotriol belongs to the family of medications known as vitamin D analogues. It is used to treat the skin condition psoriasis. It may be used alone or in combination with other medications (topical corticosteroid, cyclosporin A, or acitretin). Calcipotriol works by controlling the excessive production of skin cells seen in psoriasis.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
How should I use this medication?
This medication is usually applied twice daily (in the morning and evening) to the affected areas of the skin. If needed, it may be applied once daily for maintenance treatment. When used in combination with topical corticosteroids, it can be applied once daily, at a different time of day than the other medication. When used in combination with cyclosporin A or acitretin, it can be used twice daily.
The maximum weekly adult dose for the cream or ointment is 100 g (5 mg of calcipotriol). Maximum doses for children are calculated based on body surface area and age. When the cream, ointment, or scalp solution are used together, the weekly maximum dose is based on the total amount of calcipotriol in each product, for a maximum weekly dose of 5 mg of calcipotriol for adults.
Wash your hands after applying the medication so that you do not get it on other parts of your body. Avoid getting the medication in your eyes or on your face. If the medication gets on your face, wash it off. If it gets in your eyes, flush the eyes with plenty of water. Do not take this medication by mouth.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Cream
Each gram of white cream contains calcipotriol 50 µg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, chlorallylhexaminium chloride (dowicil 200), disodium edetate, disodium phosphate dihydrate, glycerol 85%, liquid paraffin, macrogol cetostearyl ether, purified water, and white soft paraffin.
Ointment
Each gram of faintly translucent white to yellowish ointment contains calcipotriol 50 µg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: disodium edetate, disodium phosphate dihydrate, DL-a-tocopherol, liquid paraffin, polyoxyethylene-(2)-stearyl ether, propylene glycol, purified water, and white soft paraffin.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use calcipotriol if you are allergic to calcipotriol or to any of the ingredients of the medication.
