Uses
What the official label says Calcipotriene is used for
Calcipotriene is a prescription vitamin D analog used on the skin. The label says calcipotriene ointment is used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults.
The label says its use for skin conditions other than psoriasis has not been established.
Read the label's “Indications and usage” section (verbatim)
Calcipotriene ointment, 0.005%, is indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults. The safety and effectiveness of topical calcipotriene in dermatoses other than psoriasis have not been established.
Names & forms
Brand names, forms and strengths
Brand names (from RxNorm; not every brand is still sold): Calcitrene, Dovonex, Pellix, Sorilux.
Generic name: calcipotriene · RxNorm ID (RxCUI): 29365
| Form | Strengths listed in RxNorm |
|---|---|
| Topical Cream | 0.05 MG/ML |
| Topical Foam | 0.05 MG/ML |
| Topical Ointment | 0.00005 MG/MG |
| Topical Solution | 0.05 MG/ML |
Strengths are listed so you can recognise a product — not as dosing information. Only your prescriber can decide what is right for you.
Appearance
What Calcipotriene looks like
| Strength | Form | Colour | Shape | Size | Imprint | Score | Labeler |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| calcipotriene 0.05 mg per g | ointment | white | — | — | — | — | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. |
From the product data in each manufacturer's label on DailyMed. Many companies make Calcipotriene, so your medicine may look different from any shown here. If a pill looks unfamiliar, ask your pharmacist before taking it.
Read the label's “How supplied” section (verbatim)
Calcipotriene ointment, 0.005% is available in: 60 gram aluminum tube NDC (51672-4154-3) 120 gram aluminum tube NDC (51672-4154-4)
Safety
Important warnings for Calcipotriene
In plain English, the label's key warnings include:
- The label says calcipotriene should not be used by people with high blood calcium (hypercalcemia) or signs of vitamin D toxicity.
- It should not be used on the face.
- Burning, itching and skin irritation were the most common reactions in studies, and worsening of psoriasis, including on the face or scalp, was also reported.
- High blood calcium was reported in a small number of people.
- The provided label text does not include a separate warnings section; the full label has more detail.
Contraindications — who should not use it (verbatim)
Calcipotriene is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation. It should not be used by patients with demonstrated hypercalcemia or evidence of vitamin D toxicity. Calcipotriene should not be used on the face.
Side effects — opening of the label's adverse reactions section
In controlled clinical trials, the most frequent adverse reactions reported for calcipotriene were burning, itching and skin irritation, which occurred in approximately 10-15% of patients. Erythema, dry skin, peeling, rash, dermatitis, worsening of psoriasis including development of facial/scalp psoriasis were reported in 1 to 10% of patients. Other experiences reported in less than 1% of patients included skin atrophy, hyperpigmentation, hypercalcemia, and folliculitis. Once daily dosing has not been shown to be superior in safety to twice daily dosing.
This is not a complete list of warnings or side effects. Read the full label and talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. To report a side effect to the FDA, use MedWatch.
Resources
If you were hurt at work
Whether a medicine is right for you is a decision for your prescriber. If you were injured on the job, these educational guides explain the next steps and who can help.
- Injured at work? →What to do after a workplace injury and how workers' comp generally works.
- Prescription home delivery →How mail-order pharmacies can deliver prescriptions to your door.
- Find help →Connect with workers' comp attorneys and doctors who take work-injury cases.
- Pharmacies near you →Search local pharmacies by ZIP code.