Dovonex Cream: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Dovonex Cream contains calcipotriene, a man-made form of vitamin D, and belongs to the topical antipsoriatics drug class. It is a prescription cream applied to the skin to treat plaque psoriasis by slowing down excessive skin-cell growth. Improvement may begin within 2 weeks, with best results often seen within 6 to 8 weeks of regular use.

What is Dovonex Cream

Dovonex Cream is a prescription skin cream containing calcipotriene, a man-made form of vitamin D. It is used on the skin to treat plaque psoriasis.

Dovonex Cream uses

• Treats plaque psoriasis (scaly, red patches caused by skin cells growing too quickly) on the body
• Treats plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris)
• Helps reduce excessive skin-cell growth associated with psoriasis
• Reduces thickened, scaly skin plaques
• Helps improve skin texture in affected areas

Benefits of Dovonex Cream

• May start improving skin within 2 weeks, with best results often seen in 6 to 8 weeks
• Can be used together with other treatments such as topical corticosteroids, cyclosporin, or acitretin for better control, if your doctor prescribes this
• Helps slow excessive skin-cell production
• May reduce plaque thickness and scaling
• Supports healthier skin-cell differentiation

How Dovonex Cream works

Dovonex works like vitamin D in the body. It slows down the fast growth of skin cells that causes psoriasis, which reduces inflammation, scaling, and flattens the raised patches.

Dovonex Cream dosage

Apply only to the affected skin, not to surrounding healthy skin. Rub the cream in gently and completely. Wash your hands after applying, unless you are treating psoriasis on your hands. Do not use on the face, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes. Do not use on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin. Avoid using other skin products on the treated area unless your doctor says it is okay.

If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose — do not double up. It may take up to 2 weeks to see improvement; tell your doctor if there is no improvement after 8 weeks of use. Use is not established in children; do not use in a child without medical advice.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream
• Ointment

Side effects of Dovonex Cream

Common

• Burning, stinging, or tingling where applied
• Skin irritation, redness, or dryness
• Peeling of the skin
• Rash
• Itching

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Severe burning, stinging, skin rash, or other irritation after applying the medicine
• Worsening of your skin condition
• Signs of high blood calcium: confusion, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, increased thirst or urination, weight loss
• Skin thinning or discoloration, stretch marks, or hair bumps (folliculitis)

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this cream if you have high blood calcium or high vitamin D levels, or if you are allergic to any of its ingredients
• Do not use this cream on your face, since contact with the face can cause severe irritation, and the product should not be used there
• Using more than the recommended amount can let the medicine absorb into your body and raise your blood calcium, which can cause confusion, nausea, muscle weakness, and frequent urination
• Avoid too much sunlight or tanning beds on treated skin, because this medicine can increase sunburn risk and may add to sun-related skin damage
• Tell your doctor if you are getting light therapy (phototherapy) for your psoriasis before using this medicine
• Do not take vitamin or mineral supplements containing calcium or vitamin D while using this medicine unless your doctor tells you to
• This medicine can be fatal to pets, especially dogs, if they swallow it, so keep it well out of their reach
• The ointment form contains an ingredient that can catch fire, so avoid smoking or open flames near treated skin or clothing/bedding that has touched the ointment
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. 
• This medicine should be used during pregnancy only if your doctor decides the benefits outweigh possible risks, since there isn't enough research in pregnant women.
• It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding so they can advise you.
• Patients with severe renal impairment should generally avoid calcipotriol treatment because safety data are limited and calcium metabolism may be affected.
• Use is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment without specialist evaluation.
• No major direct interaction is established between topical calcipotriol and alcohol.
• Dovonex Cream is not generally associated with drowsiness or impaired alertness and is unlikely to affect driving ability.

Storage

• Store at room temperature 15°C – 25°C (59°F – 77°F)
• Do not freeze
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Stop using the cream and call your doctor right away if you have severe burning, stinging, rash, or irritation after applying it, if your skin condition gets worse, or if you notice signs of high calcium levels such as confusion, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, or increased thirst or urination
• Seek emergency care right away if you accidentally use too much of this medicine

Alternatives

• Calcipotriol
• Daivonex
• Calcipotriene