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Calcipotriene Brand Names
Calcitrene | Dovonex | Dovonex Scalp | Sorilux
What is Calcipotriene
Calcipotriene is a vitamin D3 analog indicated for the topical symptomatic treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis.
Calcipotriene is structurally similar to naturally occurring calcitriol. In 1986, vitamin D analogs were discovered to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis, however, oral vitamin D has limited usefulness due to side effects associated with the large dosages often needed for therapy.
Hence, topical calcipotriene provides a safe and effective alternative to oral vitamin D. Marked improvement in clearing of psoriatic lesions occurs in approximately 50% to 70% of patients, although lesions can recur within 2 to 3 months following discontinuance of treatment.
Clinical trials comparing calcipotriene with other antipsoriatic agents demonstrated that calcipotriene is at least as effective as betamethasone and is superior to short-contact anthralin.
Indications
- psoriasis
For the treatment of plaque psoriasis
NOTE: According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), combining calcipotriene with a topical corticosteroid is more effective than either treatment alone. In addition, fewer adverse events were reported with combination therapy in most clinical studies.
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- anorexia
- constipation
- contact dermatitis
- depression
- erythema
- exfoliative dermatitis
- fatigue
- folliculitis
- hypercalcemia
- hypercalciuria
- hypertension
- nausea
- polydipsia
- pruritus
- rash
- skin atrophy
- skin hyperpigmentation
- skin irritation
- vomiting
- weakness
- weight loss
- xerosis
Monitoring Parameters
- laboratory monitoring not necessary
Contraindications
- accidental exposure
- breast-feeding
- children
- hypercalcemia
- hypercalciuria
- hypervitaminosis D
- infants
- neonates
- nephrolithiasis
- occlusive dressing
- ocular exposure
- pregnancy
- sunlight (UV) exposure
- tobacco smoking
Interactions
- Calcium
- Calcium Acetate
- Calcium Carbonate
- Calcium Carbonate; Magnesium Hydroxide
- Calcium Carbonate; Risedronate
- Calcium Carbonate; Simethicone
- Calcium Chloride
- Calcium Gluconate
- Calcium; Vitamin D
- Chromium
- Hetastarch; Dextrose; Electrolytes
- Polycarbophil
- Porfimer
- Verteporfin
