Calcipotriene, Calcitrene

Introduction

Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on August 7, 2023

Calcipotriene (kal si POE try een) is a generic medication prescribed for psoriasis. Calcipotriene belongs to a group of drugs called vitamin D analogs (drugs that are similar to vitamin D).

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved calcipotriene to treat:

• plaque psoriasis in adults
• scalp psoriasis in adults

These approved uses differ based on the form of calcipotriene your doctor prescribes.

Common questions about calcipotriene

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about calcipotriene.

Is it safe to use calcipotriene with fluorouracil?

Probably. Some studies suggest that topical* treatment with calcipotriene and fluorouracil (Efudex) is safe and effective for treating actinic keratosis (a precancerous growth on sun-exposed areas of skin). This drug combination may also help prevent actinic keratosis from progressing to skin cancer.

But treatment of actinic keratosis with calcipotriene is an off-label use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

If you have questions about using calcipotriene with fluorouracil for your condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* With topical treatment, the drugs are applied directly to the affected area of skin.

What brand names are available for calcipotriene?

Calcipotriene is a generic drug. It’s also available in the brand-name versions Dovonex and Sorilux.

Some brand-name drugs are available that combine calcipotriene with the steroid betamethasone. These include Enstilar, Wynzora, and Taclonex.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs. If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can I get calcipotriene over the counter?

No, calcipotriene isn’t available over the counter. It’s only available with a prescription.

If you’re interested in trying calcipotriene for psoriasis, talk with your doctor. If you and your doctor determine that this medication is right for you, they can write you a prescription.

Is calcipotriene a steroid?

No, calcipotriene isn’t a steroid. Calcipotriene belongs to a group of drugs called vitamin D analogs. These are drugs that are similar to vitamin D, and vitamin D is known to help treat psoriasis.

Doctors do commonly prescribe steroid creams to treat psoriasis. Examples of steroids are hydrocortisone and betamethasone. These drugs are sometimes used in combination with calcipotriene to treat psoriasis.

If you have questions about the different treatment options for psoriasis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does calcipotriene work? And how long does it take to start working?

Doctors don’t fully understand how calcipotriene works to treat psoriasis. The drug is thought to slow the growth and buildup of skin cells.

The drug starts working right away. In studies,* calcipotriene was shown to reduce the symptoms of plaque psoriasis and scalp psoriasis. But it may take 2 weeks to notice a difference in your symptoms. In these studies, some people had completely clear skin after 8 weeks of treatment.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with calcipotriene treatment.

* For study details, see the prescribing information for calcipotriene cream and ointment (for plaque psoriasis) and calcipotriene solution (for scalp psoriasis) listed in the “Resources” section.

Side effects of calcipotriene

Calcipotriene may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of calcipotriene and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about calcipotriene’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for calcipotriene listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of calcipotriene are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of calcipotriene you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about calcipotriene’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for calcipotriene listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of calcipotriene ointment and calcipotriene cream include:

• skin irritation
• burning sensation
• itching
• dryness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for calcipotriene” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of calcipotriene are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of calcipotriene you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about calcipotriene’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for calcipotriene listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, calcipotriene’s serious side effects include:

• worsening symptoms of psoriasis
• high levels of calcium in your blood
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for calcipotriene” section.

Uses of calcipotriene

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as calcipotriene for certain conditions. Approved uses for calcipotriene are described below. These uses differ based on the form of calcipotriene prescribed.

Use for plaque psoriasis

Doctors may prescribe calcipotriene cream or calcipotriene ointment for treating plaque psoriasis. Calcipotriene is used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. With this condition, skin cells grow too quickly and build up on the skin. This leads to scaly, itchy patches of skin called plaques.

Use for scalp psoriasis

Doctors may prescribe calcipotriene topical* solution for treating scalp psoriasis that’s moderately severe. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With scalp psoriasis, skin cells grow too quickly and build up on the scalp. This leads to scaly, itchy patches on the scalp. Frequent scratching of the scalp can lead to hair loss.

* With topical treatment, the drug is applied directly to the affected area of skin.

Interactions and warnings for calcipotriene

Below, you’ll find information about calcipotriene’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of calcipotriene

Calcipotriene isn’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. (Interactions can affect how a drug works.) But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with calcipotriene won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with calcipotriene.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with calcipotriene. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:

• vaccines
• foods or alcohol
• other drugs

Warnings for calcipotriene

Some people should not use calcipotriene, and others should use it cautiously.

Calcipotriene could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether calcipotriene is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of calcipotriene you use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for calcipotriene, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Calcipotriene can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to calcipotriene or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe calcipotriene. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to calcipotriene, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of calcipotriene

If you apply calcipotriene, you should not use more calcipotriene than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much calcipotriene, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and calcipotriene

Information about calcipotriene and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Calcipotriene and pregnancy

It’s not known whether calcipotriene should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Calcipotriene and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether calcipotriene should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about calcipotriene or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• What are my options if I can’t afford calcipotriene?
• Is calcipotriene cream or ointment better for my plaque psoriasis?
• Can I use styling products or wear a hat after applying calcipotriene solution to my scalp?
• Should I apply calcipotriene in the morning or at night?

Resources

• Calcipotriene cream. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d2452b8a-52e0-5f22-e053-2a95a90adda8/spl-doc
• Calcipotriene ointment. (2018). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d244ce91-51ea-ecb3-e053-2995a90aea64/spl-doc
• Calcipotriene topical solution. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/21378c25-5622-8bf7-1a8c-b05940a846a0/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Mohney L, et al. (2022) Use of topical calcipotriol plus 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of actinic keratosis: A systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35005863/

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.