Calcipotriene

Description

Calcipotriol, is an antipsoriatic molecule derived from vitamin D (calcitriol); and like its parent, it has almost the same effect in the human body. However, unlike normal vitamin D, it does not affect calcium metabolism. The antipsoriatic effect was discovered during an osteoporosis study when, surprisingly, a patient’s psoriasis was cured.

The Uses of Calcipotriene

Antipsoriatic.

Indications

Calcipotriene (calcipotriol) is a synthetic vitamin D3 derivative that is useful for the treatment of patients with moderate plaque psoriasis. Its effects are comparable with those of class II topical steroids, without the associated adverse effects. Its mechanism of action involves both induction of terminal differentiation of keratinocytes and inhibition of keratinocyte production. It should be applied to the face with care, as this region is more susceptible to irritation, burning, and itching, as seen in approximately 10% of patients. Other adverse effects include erythema, peeling, xerosis, dermatitis, or worsening psoriasis in 1% to 10% of patients. Fewer than 1% of patients experience hypercalcemia, atrophy, hyperpigmentation, or folliculitis. Allergic contact dermatitis to calcipotriene has been reported.
Most patients demonstrate improvement after 2 weeks; 70% of patients improve after 8 weeks, with 10% showing complete clearing. It should be avoided in patients with documented impairment in calcium metabolism, hypercalcemia, vitamin D toxicity, or history of renal stones.
Calcipotriene may be used as an adjuvant with psoralens plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). Pretreatment with or subsequent addition of calcipotriol to PUVA reduces the cumulative doses of UVA needed to achieve >75% reduction in severity and distribution of psoriasis.

Definition

ChEBI: Calcipotriol is a seco-cholestane that is 26,27-cyclo-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10,22-tetraene carrying additional hydroxy substituents at positions 1, 3 and 24. It is used (as its hydrate) in combination with betamethasone dipropionate, a corticosteroid, for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in adult patients. It has a role as a drug allergen and an antipsoriatic. It is a member of cyclopropanes, a secondary alcohol, a triol, a hydroxy seco-steroid and a seco-cholestane.

brand name

Dovonex (Leo).