Dovonex

Dovonex is a prescription medication used to treat plaque psoriasis. Dovonex belongs to a group of drugs called synthetic vitamin D3 derivatives. The exact way calcipotriene works to treat plaque psoriasis is unknown.

This medication comes in the form of a cream. It is usually applied to the affected skin twice daily.

Common side effects of Dovonex are irritation, redness, and itching of the skin treated.

Dovonex is a prescription medicine used on the skin to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. This medication is a synthetic form of vitamin D.

Use Dovonex as directed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Do not adjust your dose without the advice of your doctor.

Dovonex is usually applied to the affected skin areas two times each day.

Talk to your doctor if your skin does not improve after treatment with Dovonex after 8 weeks.

Dovonex can cause high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia). Symptoms of hypercalcemia include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle and joint aches
• Confusion
• Lethargy and fatigue

This is a potentially serious side effect. If you develop symptoms of hypercalcemia, call your doctor right away.

Do not use Dovonex if you are:

• allergic to Dovonex
• have high levels of calcium in the blood
• have high levels of Vitamin D in the blood

The most common side effects of Dovonex are:

• irritation
• redness
• itching of the treated skin areas

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of calcipotriene. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

No Dovonex drug interactions have been identified, however, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Tell your doctor if you are taking vitamin D or calcium supplements, lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith), or thiazide diuretics. All of these medications can increase calcium levels in the blood and when combined with Dovonex, may lead to too high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia).

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Dovonex passes into breast milk. Do not apply Dovonex to the chest area if you are breastfeeding a baby. This will help to prevent the baby from accidentally getting Dovonex into their mouth.