II. Indications

  1. Plaque Psoriasis (FDA approved for age >=12 years)
  2. Other off label uses
    1. Morphea
    2. Vitiligo
    3. Darier Disease

III. Mechanism

  1. Calcipotriene (Calcipotriol) is a synthetic Vitamin D derivative primarily used for Psoriasis
  2. Calcipotriene competes with 1,25 hydroxy-Vitamin D at receptors that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation
    1. Suppresses Keratinocyte proliferation, helping to normalize epidermal growth

IV. Medications

  1. Calcipotriene Cream 0.005%
  2. Calcipotriene Ointment 0.005%
  3. Calcipotriene Scalp Solution 0.005%
  4. Calcipotriene Foam 0.005%

V. Dosing

  1. For adults and children age >=12 years
  2. Ointment applied twice daily to involved regions of scalp and body (NOT the face)

VI. Efficacy

  1. Begin to see benefit in 2 weeks
  2. Maximum benefit in 6-8 weeks
    1. Resolution in 10% of patients
    2. Moderate Improvement in 70% of patients
    3. No Improvement in 20% of patients
  3. Useful adjunct to PUVA

VII. Adverse Effects

  1. Contact Dermatitis (allergic or irritant, occurs in up to 10-15% of patients)
    1. Local irritation, burning, itching (esp. in the skin folds)
    2. Do not use on face
  2. Hypercalcemia
    1. Calcipotriene is a Vitamin D analog with risk of Hypercalcemia
    2. Limit Calcipotriene to 100 grams per week

VIII. Safety

  1. Pregnancy Category C
  2. Unknown safety in Lactation

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Related Studies

Cost: Medications

calcipotriene (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
CALCIPOTRIENE 0.005% CREAM Generic $1.02 per gram
CALCIPOTRIENE 0.005% OINTMENT Generic $2.14 per gram
CALCIPOTRIENE 0.005% SOLUTION Generic $0.97 per ml
CALCIPOTRIENE-BETAMETH DP OINT Generic $4.02 per gram
CALCIPOTRIENE-BETAMETHASONE DP 0.005%-0.064% SUSPENSION Generic $3.10 per gram

Ontology: calcipotriene (C0065767)

Definition (NCI) A synthetic vitamin D derivative usually formulated for topical dermatological use, antipsoriatic Calcipotriene (calcipotriol) competes equally with active 1,25-hydroxy-2D3 (the natural form of vitamin D) for 1,25-hydroxy-2D3 receptors in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. It induces differentiation and suppresses proliferation of keratinocytes, reversing abnormal keratinocyte changes in psoriasis, and leads to normalization of epidermal growth. (NCI04)
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH C055085
SnomedCT 108910005, 126232005, 395766004
English 9,10-Secochola-5,7,10(19),22-tetraene-1,3,24-triol, 24-cyclopropyl-, (1alpha,3beta,5Z,7E,22E)-, calcipotriol, 1,24(OH)2-22-ene-24-cyclopropyl D3, calcipotriene, calcipotriene (medication), CALCIPOTRIENE, calcipotriene [Chemical/Ingredient], Calcipotriene (product), Calcipotriol, Calcipotriene preparation (product), Calcipotriene preparation, Calcipotriol (substance), Calcipotriene (substance), Calcipotriene preparation (substance), Calcipotriene
Spanish calcipotrieno (producto), calcipotrieno, preparado con calcipotrieno (producto), preparado con calcipotrieno, calcipotrieno (sustancia), calcipotriol (sustancia), calcipotriol, preparado de calcipotrieno (producto), preparado de calcipotrieno (sustancia), preparado de calcipotrieno