Calcipotriene (Topical)

Brand Names : Dovonex, MC 903

Proper Use of This Medicine

Calcipotriene is for external use only. Do not use this medicine orally and do 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 longer time 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 that you keep using calcipotriene for the full time of treatment. Do not miss any doses.

Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, do not use more than 100 grams of calcipotriene ointment or cream in 1 week (that is, 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 scalp in 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 you accidentally 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 more likely to cause irritation there.

Wash your hands after using this medicine to avoid accidentally getting the medicine on your face or on unaffected areas of the skin.

Do not use this medicine for treating skin problems other than the one for which it was prescribed by your doctor.

For cream and ointment dosage forms:

• Apply enough medicine to cover the areas of your skin affected by psoriasis and rub in gently and well. The treated areas should not be covered (for instance, with a bandage or plastic wrap) after the medicine is applied .
• If you are being treated with calcipotriene ointment in combination with ultraviolet light (found in sunlight and some special lamps), do not apply the morning dose of calcipotriene before being treated with the ultraviolet light. It can be applied afterwards .

For solution dosage form:

• Before applying the medicine to your scalp, comb your dry hair to remove 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 orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average dose of calcipotriene. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The length of time you use the medicine depends on the severity of your psoriasis .

• For topical dosage form (cream):
  • For psoriasis:
    • Adults - Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two times a day, in the morning and evening. Treatment may be continued for six to eight weeks 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 two times a day, in the morning and evening. Treatment may be continued for six to 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 times a day, in the morning and evening. Treatment may be continued for six to eight weeks 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 as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed 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 sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
• Keep the topical solution away from open flame.