Calcipotriene

What is Calcipotriene?

• Calcipotriene (Sorilux, Dovonex) is a vitamin D analog used for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis.

What are the uses of this medicine?

• Calcipotriene (Sorilux,Dovonex) is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) to treat plaque psoriasis of the scalp and body in people 4 years of age and older.

How does this medicine work?

• Calcipotriene is a synthetic vitamin D3 analog that has a similar receptor binding affinity as natural vitamin D3.
• However, the exact mechanism of action contributing to the clinical efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis is unknown.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients who:

• with known hypercalcemia

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted with Calcipotriene.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• It was patented in 1985 and approved for medical use in 1993.

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage:

• Apply twice daily.

Administration:

• Apply a thin layer of calcipotriene foam twice daily to the affected areas and rub in gently and completely.
• Avoid contact with the face and eyes.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As 0.005%, foam
• Scalp Solution, 0.005%
• Calcipotriene Cream, 0.005%
• Calcipotriene ointment, 0.005%

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• SORILUX; DOVONEX

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• application site erythema
• application site pain

Calcipotriene may cause serious side effects, including:

• Too much calcium in your blood

What special precautions should I follow?

• Contents are flammable. Instruct the patient the avoid fire, flame, and smoking during and immediately following application.
• Elevation of serum calcium has occurred with use of calcipotriene. If elevation in serum calcium outside the normal range should occur, discontinue treatment until normal calcium levels are restored.
• Avoid getting Calcipotriene on your face or in or near your eyes. If SORILUX Foam gets on your face or in your eyes, rinse well with water.
• Wash your hands after applying calcipotriene foam unless your hands are the affected site.
• Do not place calcipotriene foam in the refrigerator or freezer.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

Symptoms of overdosage may include:

• Elevated serum calcium

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• Although there are no available data on the drug- associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes in pregnant women exposed to calcipotriene.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• The safety and effectiveness of calcipotriene have been established in pediatric patients age 4 years and older for topical treatment of plaque psoriasis of the scalp and body.
• The safety and effectiveness of calcipotriene in pediatric patients less than 4 years of age have not been established.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

• Active ingredient: calcipotriene
• Inactive ingredients: cetyl alcohol, dibasic sodium phosphate, dl-α-tocopherol, edetate disodium, isopropyl myristate, light mineral oil, polyoxyl 20 cetostearyl ether, propylene glycol, purified water, stearyl alcohol, and white petrolatum. The foam is dispensed from an aluminum can pressurized with a hydrocarbon (propane/n-butane/isobutane) propellant.

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

SORILUX:

• Distributed by:

Mayne Pharma Greenville, NC SORILUX is a registered trademark of Mayne Pharma LLC.

DOVONEX

• Distributed by:

Physicians Total Care, Inc.

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C – 30°C (59°F – 86°F).
• Flammable. Contents under pressure. Do not puncture or incinerate. Do not expose to heat or store at temperatures above 120°F (49°C).
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Do not store Foam in the refrigerator or freezer.

• Dailymed label info on Calcipotriene
• FDA Calcipotriene

Calcipotriene Resources
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