Calcipotriol

Registered South African indications:

• Psoriasis 

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
• Severe renal impairment
• Severe hepatic impairment
• Disorders of calcium metabolism
• Hypercalcaemia
• Coadministration with agents which increase serum calcium

Cautions

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Children
• Contact with face or healthy skin
• High doses
• Generalised pustular psoriasis
• Erythrodermic exfoliative psoriasis
• Occlusion of affected areas
• Exposure to natural or artificial sunlight

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: cre, oin, sol

Plaque psoriasis

• Topical (cre, oin): Apply small quantity to affected area(s), 12hrly; Treatment duration: 4-8 weeks; Max: 100g/week

The maximum weekly dose of calcipotriol should not exceed a total of 5mg (including all formulations used)

Plaque psoriasis of scalp

• Topical (sol): Apply small quantity to affected area(s) on scalp, 12hrly; Max duration: 22 weeks; Max: 60ml/week

The maximum weekly dose of calcipotriol should not exceed a total of 5mg (including all formulations used)

Not established for use in children

Pregnancy

• Caution
• The safety of the use of calcipotriol during human pregnancy has not been established. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity when calcipotriol was administered orally. Topically applied calcipotriol is slightly systemically absorbed, but a disruption of calcium homeostasis is not expected. As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of calcipotriol in pregnancy

Breastfeeding

• Caution
• It is unknown whether calcipotriol is excreted in breast milk. Short-term use on small surfaces is not expected to lead to a relevant systemic absorption and no effects on the breastfed child are anticipated. In all other cases, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with calcipotriol

Renal Impairment

• Mild to moderate: No dose adjustment recommended
• Severe: Contraindicated

Hepatic Impairment

• Mild to moderate: No dose adjustment recommended
• Severe: Contraindicated

Elderly

• No dose adjustment recommended

Porphyria Information

• Not porphyrinogenic (NP)

Drugs in Sport

• Permitted - No warnings

Genitourinary Disorders

• Hypercalciuria

Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

• Hypercalcaemia

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Urticaria
• Face or periorbital oedema
• Angioedema
• Skin irritation
• Pruritus
• Burning sensation
• Stinging sensation
• Dry skin
• Erythema
• Rash
• Eczema
• Contact dermatitis
• Aggravated psoriasis
• Changes in skin pigmentation
• Transient photosensitivity
• Facial and perioral dermatitis

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Hypersensitivity reactions

Salicylic acid (topical)

Serum calcium

Calcipotriol induces differentiation and suppresses proliferation of keratinocytes, which is thought to account for its antipsoriatic effect.

Ointment (per g) 50μg

• Dovonex (Adcock) originator

Cream (per g) 50μg

• Dovonex (Adcock) originator

Scalp Solution (per ml) 50μg

• Dovonex (Adcock) originator

COMBINATION PREPARATIONS

Calcipotriol/ Betamethasone 

Ointment (per g) 50mg/ 0.5mg

• Dovobet (Adcock)

Calcipotriol/ Betamethasone 

Gel (per g) 50mcg/ 0.5mg

• Xamiol (Adcock) originator