CALCIPOTRIENE (Topical)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Another commonly used name is MC 903.
Category
Description
Calcipotriene (kal-si-poe-TRY-een) is used to treatpsoriasis. It works by controlling the overproduction of skin cells in areasaffected by psoriasis.
Calcipotriene is available only with your doctor's prescription in thefollowing dosage forms:
Topical- Cream (U.S. and Canada)
- Ointment (U.S. and Canada)
- Solution (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For calcipotriene, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to calcipotriene or to other ingredients of the preparation,which you may find listed on the label. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Calcipotriene has not been studied in pregnant women.However, studies in animals have shown that calcipotriene taken in high dosesby mouth causes problems in the mother and the fetus, including birth defects.Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnantor if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether calcipotriene passes intobreast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are usingthis medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children?This medicine has been tested in a limited numberof children 2 to 14 years of age with psoriasis on less than 30% of the body.When used for 8 weeks or less, the medicine has not been shown to cause differentside effects or problems than it does in adults. However, more studies areneeded.
Older adults?Skin-related side effects caused by calcipotrienemay be more severe when they occur in patients over 65 years of age.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking or using any other prescription or nonprescription(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of calcipotriene. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Highly irritated areas of psoriasis on the scalp?Calcipotrienetopical solution may increase the skin irritation because of the alcohol inthe product
- Hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium) or
- Hypercalciuria (high urine levels of calcium) or
- Hypervitaminosis D (high blood levels of vitamin D)?You shouldnot use calcipotriene. It may increase the chance of kidney stone formation
- Kidney stones (or history of)?Calcipotriene may make this conditionworse
Proper Use of This Medicine
Calcipotriene is for external use only. Do not use this medicine orally anddo not apply it in your vagina. Use this medicine only as directed.Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longertime than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
To help clear up your skin problem completely, it is very important thatyou keep using calcipotriene for the full time of treatment. Do not miss anydoses.
Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, do not usemore than 100 grams of calcipotriene ointment or cream in 1 week (thatis, one 100-gram tube or three 30-gram tubes or six 15-gram tubes in 1 week).Do not use more than 60 milliliters of the topical solution for the scalpin 1 week.
Do not use this medicine on your face, near the eyes,inside your nose or mouth, or on unaffected areas of the skin. If youaccidentally get some on these areas, wash it off with water right away.
Use this medicine sparingly in the folds of your skin because it is morelikely to cause irritation there.
Wash your hands after using this medicine to avoid accidentally gettingthe medicine on your face or on unaffected areas of the skin.
Do not use this medicine for treating skin problems other than the onefor which it was prescribed by your doctor.
For cream and ointment dosage forms:
- Apply enough medicine to cover the areas of your skin affected bypsoriasis and rub in gently and well. The treated areasshould not be covered (for instance, with a bandage or plastic wrap) afterthe medicine is applied.
- If you are being treated with calcipotriene ointment in combinationwith ultraviolet light (found in sunlight and some special lamps), do not apply the morning dose of calcipotriene before beingtreated with the ultraviolet light. It can be applied afterwards.
For solution dosage form:
- Before applying the medicine to your scalp, comb your dry hair toremove any flakes, then part your hair so that you can see the scalp lesions.Apply the solution to the lesions and rub it in gently but completely. Do not apply the medicine if the lesions are very irritated because the alcohol in the product may make the irritation worse. Try not to get any medicine on your forehead.
Dosing?Follow your doctor's ordersor the directions on the label. The following information includesonly the average dose of calcipotriene. If your doseis different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The length of time you use the medicine depends onthe severity of your psoriasis.
- For topical dosage form (cream):
- For psoriasis:
- Adults?Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two timesa day, in the morning and evening. Treatment may be continued for six to eightweeks or as determined by your doctor.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For topical dosage form (ointment):
- For psoriasis:
- Adults?Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin one or twotimes a day, in the morning and evening. Treatment may be continued for sixto eight weeks or as determined by your doctor.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For topical dosage form (solution):
- For psoriasis:
- Adults?Apply to the affected area(s) of the scalp two timesa day, in the morning and evening. Treatment may be continued for six to eightweeks or as determined by your doctor.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
- Keep the topical solution away from open flame.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Calcipotrienemay cause irritation of the affected area(s) of your skin for a short timeafter you have applied it. Sometimes it may also cause irritation of the surroundingnormal skin. If this happens, try not to scratch the area.
If the irritation continues, if you develop rash on your face, or if themedicine causes any other problems for you, stop usingthe medicine and check with your doctor.
You may have to see your doctor regularly while using this medicine sothat your doctor can check for any side effects, especially an increase inthe level of calcium in your blood or urine, because this may lead to kidneystone formation.
Calcipotriene may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight thanit is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, maycause a skin rash, itching, redness, or other discoloration of the skin, ora severe sunburn. When you begin taking this medicine:
- Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible
- Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.
- Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF)number, especially if you have a fair complexion. If you have any questionsabout this, check with your health care professional
- Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.
If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check withyour doctor.
Your doctor may tell you when you should expect to notice an improvementin your condition (usually within 2 to 8 weeks). If your condition has notimproved by then or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:
Rare?for ointment dosage form only
Abdominal or stomach pain, constipation, depression, loss ofappetite, loss of weight, muscle weakness, nausea, thirst, tiring easily,and vomiting; burning, itching, and pain in hairyareas; pus in the hair follicles; thinning, weakness, or wasting away of skin
Other side effects may occurthat usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go awayduring treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check withyour doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Burning, dryness, irritation, peeling, or redness of skin
Less common or rare?for cream and ointment dosage forms only
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 07/13/2005
