Calcipotriol - a vitamin D3 analogue (MC 903) in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris : a review

english

1998

volume 7, issue 2

Združenje slovenskih dermatovenerologov

Calcipotriol, a vitamin D3 analogue, is an effective and well tolerated topical therapy of mild and medium intensive plaque psoriasis. Calcipotriol reduces epidermal cell proliferation and enhances differentiation in lesional skin. Calcipotriol ointment, applied twice daily, may be more effective than betamethazone valerate and dithranol. In combination with other antipsoriatic treatments (UVB, PUVA, Cyclosporin), it is used in therapy of severe psoriasis. The most frequently occuring adverse events are lesional and perilesional skin irritations. There is no risk of hypercalcemia if calcipotriol is used in recommended doses not more than 100 g weekly. Calcipotriol ointment is today an effective and safe alternative therapy for psoriasis vulgaris in children. For the treatment of scalp psoriasis a calciptriol solution can be used. In this article, the literature is reviewed and different calcipotriol therapeutic modalities are discussed.

16.09.2022