Calcitrene Side Effects

Generic name: calcipotriene topical

Note: This document contains side effect information about calcipotriene topical. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Calcitrene.

Some side effects of Calcitrene may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to calcipotriene topical: topical cream, topical foam, topical ointment, topical solution

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking calcipotriene topical (the active ingredient contained in Calcitrene) hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using calcipotriene topical and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• severe burning, stinging, or irritation after using this medication;

• worsening of your skin condition; or

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle pain or weakness, joint pain, confusion, and feeling tired or restless.

Less serious side effects of calcipotriene topical may include:

• mild skin redness;

• dry or peeling skin; or

• mild rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to calcipotriene topical: topical cream, topical foam, topical ointment, topical solution

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Cream: Skin irritation (up to 15%); Ointment: Burning, itching, skin irritation (up to 15%); Solution: Transient burning, stinging, tingling (about 23%), rash (about 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Cream: Rash, pruritus, dermatitis, worsening of psoriasis (up to 10%); Ointment: Erythema, dry skin, peeling, rash, dermatitis, worsening of psoriasis including development of facial/scalp psoriasis (up to 10%); Solution: Dry skin, irritation, worsening of psoriasis (up to 5%)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ointment: Skin atrophy, hyperpigmentation, folliculitis (less than 1%)
Rare (less than 0.1%): Facial dermatitis or eczema, allergic contact dermatitis
Frequency not reported: Calcipotriene phototoxicity

Clinical trials have shown a higher incidence of severe skin-related adverse reactions in patients older than 65 years of age.

Facial dermatitis or eczema has rarely been reported, occasionally in patients without facial psoriasis.

Metabolic

Hypercalcemia was reversible upon drug discontinuation.

Symptomatic hypercalcemia has been reported in a few individuals, particularly those with extensive, unstable disease using more than 100 grams of ointment per week. One patient with symptomatic hypercalcemia had moderate renal impairment. This patient used 200 grams of ointment over the course of a week. At least two patients have experienced hypercalcemia while using less than 100 grams per week. A lower dose of 10 grams per week was tried in one of these patients, however hypercalcemia returned.

There have been several studies of the effect of calcipotriene on serum calcium and urinary calcium. One study observed 34 patients with psoriasis treated with 8.2 to 95.4 grams per week. No difference in calcium or bone metabolism was noted when compared to patients treated with placebo. Another study where 12 of 24 patients received 30 grams per day for 14 days reported no significant alterations in blood or urine calcium concentrations. However, in a higher dose study, 10 patients treated with 100 grams calcipotriene per week experienced an increase in urinary calcium from 4.75 mmol/24 hours to 5.89 mmol/24 hours over four weeks of treatment.

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ointment: Hypercalcemia (less than 1%)
Rare (less than 0.1%): Transient increases in serum calcium, symptomatic hypercalcemia

Local

Common (1% to 10%): Foam: Application site pain (3%), application site erythema (2%)

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.