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Vitamin D analogue / Antipsoriatic Pregnancy: Use with caution — limited data; generally considered low risk at normal doses.

Calcipotriol

Brand names: Dovonex, Dovobet (with betamethasone)

Adult dose

Dose: Apply once or twice daily to affected plaques; Dovobet (combined) once daily
Route: Topical (cream, ointment, or scalp solution)
Frequency: Once or twice daily
Max: 100 g/week
Calcipotriol 50 micrograms/g: apply twice daily. Dovobet (calcipotriol 50 mcg + betamethasone dipropionate 0.5 mg/g): once daily for up to 4 weeks (body), 8 weeks (scalp). Do not exceed 100 g/week (hypercalcaemia risk). Do not apply to face. Wash hands after application.

Paediatric dose

Route: Topical
Frequency: Once or twice daily
Max: 50 g/week (6–12 years); 75 g/week (12–18 years)
6–12 years: 50 g/week max (Dovonex). 12–18 years: 75 g/week max. Not licensed in children <6 years. Dovobet not licensed in children.

Dose adjustments

Renal

Use with caution in severe renal impairment (risk of hypercalcaemia).

Hepatic

Use with caution in severe hepatic disease.

Clinical pearls

  • Avoid contact with face — highly irritating
  • Dovobet (combined) outperforms either component alone — highly effective for scalp psoriasis
  • Weekly calcium and phosphate checking only if extensive use (>100 g/week)
  • Rotate sites and avoid prolonged use to same area
  • Can be used in combination with phototherapy

Contraindications

  • Calcium metabolism disorders (hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria)
  • Face, skin folds
  • Erythrodermic or pustular psoriasis (may cause flare)

Side effects

  • Local irritation and burning
  • Perilesional irritation
  • Hypercalcaemia (with excessive use or large treatment area)
  • Skin atrophy (with combined product — betamethasone component)

Interactions

  • Calcium supplements and thiazide diuretics — increased hypercalcaemia risk
  • Vitamin D supplements — additive hypercalcaemia risk

Monitoring

  • Serum calcium (if extensive use)
  • Clinical response (PASI score)

Reference: BNFc; BNF; BAD Psoriasis Guidelines; NICE NG110 Psoriasis. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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