This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Calcipotriol in the treatment of psoriasis

Authoring team

Calcipotriol is indicated for the topical treatment of mild or moderately severe plaque psoriasis affecting less than 40% of the body surface.

If used in quantities of less than 100g per week it does not upset calcium metabolism.

Applied twice daily, it is more effective than dithranol short-contact therapy, and is at least as effective as betamethasone valerate 1mg/g.

To remove excessive scale, a keratolytic e.g. urea 10-20 per cent in white soft paraffin or 2-5 per cent salicylic acid in yellow soft paraffin, can be applied to the affected areas a few hours before the Vitamin-D analogues.

Caclipotriol should not be used on the face because of possible irritation.

Topical vitamin D analogues can cause local irritation and excessive use can lead to hypercalcaemia (1) - has led to the use of combinations of vitamin D analogues with other topical therapies, UV phototherapy and systemic therapies

A suggested protocol for use of topical preparations with respect to NICE guidance (3) is linked.

Reference:

  1. Prescriber (2005); 16 (8).
  2. Prescribers' Journal (1993);33(5): 183-91.
  3. NICE (October 2012). Psoriasis - the assessment and management of psoriasis

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.