What is Dovonex
CalcipotriolThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryCalcipotriol is a synthetic form of Vitamin D used to treat skin conditions.
Calcipotrieneis the brand name
Dovonex Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Calcipotriene
Calcipotriol
1996
56
Effectiveness
How Dovonex Affects PatientsCalcipotriene is a form of Vitamin D that is made synthetically. Normally, the body obtains Vitamin D from exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, which turns a substance in skin (7-dehydrocholesterol) into Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).
How Dovonex works in the bodyWe don't fully understand how calcipotriol works to treat psoriasis, but we know that it binds to the Vitamin D receptor in cells, like T cells of the immune system. This binding process changes gene expression in the cells, which can lead to slower cell growth and change the way cells work.
When to interrupt dosage
The recommended quantity of Dovonex is contingent upon the diagnosed circumstance. The amount diverges depending on the method of application featured in the table underneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Psoriasis Vulgaris
0.00005 mg/mg, , 0.05 mg/mL
, Ointment, Solution, Aerosol, foam, Cream - Topical, Ointment - Topical, Solution - Topical, Gel - Topical, Kit, Gel, Topical, Spray, metered - Topical, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Spray, metered, Cream, Cream; Kit - Topical, Cream; Kit, Kit - Topical
Psoriasis
0.00005 mg/mg, , 0.05 mg/mL
, Ointment, Solution, Aerosol, foam, Cream - Topical, Ointment - Topical, Solution - Topical, Gel - Topical, Kit, Gel, Topical, Spray, metered - Topical, Suspension, Suspension - Topical, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Spray, metered, Cream, Cream; Kit - Topical, Cream; Kit, Kit - Topical
Warnings
Dovonex ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Hypercalcemia
Do Not Combine
use in the face
Do Not Combine
vitamin D intoxication
Do Not Combine
Common Dovonex Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Calcium
Moderate
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Calcipotriol is combined with Calcium.
Calcium Phosphate
Moderate
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Calcipotriol is combined with Calcium Phosphate.
Calcium acetate
Moderate
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Calcipotriol is combined with Calcium acetate.
Calcium carbonate
Moderate
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Calcipotriol is combined with Calcium carbonate.
Calcium cation
Moderate
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Calcipotriol is combined with Calcium cation.
Dovonex Toxicity & Overdose RiskApplying calcipotriene to the skin can cause it to enter the bloodstream, which can lead to elevated calcium levels if too much is used.
Dovonex Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Dovonex?
18 clinical trials are presently underway to determine the effectiveness of Dovonex in the management of Plaque Psoriasis.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Psoriasis Vulgaris
20 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4, Early Phase 1, Phase 1, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 2
Psoriasis
0 Actively Recruiting
Dovonex Reviews: What are patients saying about Dovonex?
5Patient Review
8/22/2010 Dovonex is effective, but I wish it weren't quite so expensive.
4.7Patient Review
4/6/2011 Worked quite well for me. Not sure why people are complaining about the price; it's been available as a generic for a while now.
4.3Patient Review
12/25/2009 I've had psoriasis for a decade now, and I've tried a lot of different creams. They never really worked well, and they would always end up staining my clothes and bedding. Doxonex has been much better; after using it for six months, the redness and scales have improved significantly. It's not a cure-all by any means—psoriasis flare-ups are still common—but this is the best drug preparation I've found so far.
4Patient Review
8/21/2009 I've been using Morphia and Dovonex for close to a year now, and while it's helped make the skin in that area smoother, it's only temporary (about three hours) and very expensive (I have to pay nearly $500 per tube every two months).
4Patient Review
4/14/2010 The combination of this medication with a steroid has helped my flare-up after only two weeks. However, I was not expecting how expensive this would be--it's by far the most costly drug I've ever taken for my psoriasis (which, by the way, I've had for 56 years). Thankfully, my insurance covered most of the cost.
4Patient Review
2/1/2010 I originally got this from somebody in South America, not sure if it was available here yet. Worked well on certain spots of the body (back, legs, elbows, ear, scalp). Tried it on the spots I get on my fingers and it doesn't do much but keeps them a little lubricated (probably the mineral oil). The best combo I've used has been Dovonex for spot treatment and Clobex/Talconex for tough spots.
4Patient Review
5/31/2011 The quality of the tube cap is terrible. I have used 2 tubes, both of the caps broken.
3.7Patient Review
9/3/2010 I've been using this medication for two weeks and it's helped a lot so far. I use it one to two times a day, as needed. Fingers crossed that it keeps working!
3.7Patient Review
7/19/2015 This cream helps with the build-up of my mild psoriasis on my elbows and knees, but unfortunately doesn't do anything for the redness.
3Patient Review
12/25/2008 I've had psoriasis for five years and this was the first treatment that showed any real promise. It did work for a little while, but then my symptoms flared up again when winter came.
3Patient Review
1/28/2022 Yes, this definitely helps. Not a miracle worker by any means, but it does help. The price is pretty high though; even in Canada it's about $165 per tube.
2.7Patient Review
1/6/2009 Dovenex cream for the scalp is effective, but Dovenex cream for other areas of the body are ineffective.
1.7Patient Review
12/7/2013 I found this treatment to be largely ineffective against my psoriasis. It was also quite expensive, at close to $1000 per tube. I stopped using it and started juicing fruits and vegetables instead; now, I don't have any psoriasis symptoms at all. If I had known this earlier, it would have saved me a lot of suffering.
1.7Patient Review
12/3/20081Patient Review
10/21/2008Patient Q&A Section about dovonex
Does Dovonex need a prescription?
"The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the sale of Dovonex psoriasis ointment (50mg/g) without a prescription. The ointment will be available through pharmacies." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
What is Dovonex ointment used for?
"Apply a thin layer of ointment to the affected area and rub in gently.
The following text is about a ointment that is indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis. The ointment should be applied to the affected area once or twice daily, and for maximum benefit, it should be used twice daily. To use it, apply a thin layer of the ointment to theaffected area and rub it in gently." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
Is Dovonex cream a steroid?
"Calcipotriene is a form of vitamin D, but it is not considered a steroid medication." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
Is Dovonex a vitamin D?
"Dovonex is a man-made form of vitamin D that is used to treat plaque psoriasis. It may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer