As with other drugs, calcipotriene can cause side effects, such as skin rash and itchiness. If the side effects from calcipotriene become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Calcipotriene is a generic drug that’s prescribed to treat psoriasis in adults. Calcipotriene is available in three topical dosage forms:

Calcipotriene cream is available as the brand-name drug Dovonex. An aerosol foam of calcipotriene is available as the brand-name drug Sorilux, but it isn’t available in a generic version.

Read on to learn about the potential common, mild, and serious side effects of calcipotriene. For more information about calcipotriene, including details about its uses, see this calcipotriene overview.

Calcipotriene can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Side effects may differ based on the form of the drug you use.

These are just a few of the more common skin-related side effects reported by people who used calcipotriene cream in clinical trials:

  • rash
  • irritation
  • itchiness
  • sensations of burning, stinging, or tingling after applying a dose

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Calcipotriene: Managing side effects” section.

Mild side effects can occur with calcipotriene use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for calcipotriene cream, ointment, and solution.

Mild skin-related side effects that have been reported with calcipotriene include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Calcipotriene: Managing side effects” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while using calcipotriene and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Calcipotriene may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for calcipotriene cream, ointment, and solution.

If you develop serious side effects while using calcipotriene, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

  • worsening psoriasis
  • high calcium levels in your blood (see “Calcipotriene: Managing side effects” for details)
Allergic reaction

For some people, calcipotriene can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep using the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to calcipotriene topical forms, your doctor may recommend a different medication instead.

Learn more about some of the side effects that calcipotriene may cause and tips for managing them.

High calcium levels

Calcipotriene belongs to a class of drugs called synthetic vitamin D derivatives. As a result, calcipotriene use may cause hypercalcemia (high calcium levels) or high vitamin D levels in some people. This was a rare side effect reported in studies of calcipotriene cream, ointment, and solution. Hypercalcemia can be mild to severe.

Mild hypercalcemia may not produce any symptoms. More serious hypercalcemia may cause symptoms such as:

If you already have high calcium or vitamin D levels, you may have an increased risk of this side effect. Your doctor can help determine whether calcipotriene is safe for you. They may order certain blood tests to check your calcium and vitamin D levels before prescribing calcipotriene.

If you develop symptoms of this side effect while using calcipotriene, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely stop calcipotriene and prescribe treatment for hypercalcemia. They can also recommend a different treatment for psoriasis.

Skin rash

Skin rash is a common side effect of calcipotriene reported in studies of the cream, ointment, and solution. Rash is usually limited to the places where you apply the drug.

Rashes can vary widely in appearance, and studies of the drug didn’t specify the characteristics. However, possible skin symptoms with rash can include:

  • cracked or peeling skin
  • bumps
  • pain
  • redness or other changes in color
  • itchiness

If you think calcipotriene is causing a rash, contact your doctor. If it’s due to the drug, they’ll likely have you stop using it and switch you to a different medication instead. Your doctor can also help determine other possible causes, such as infection.

Skin burning, stinging, or tingling sensation

A burning sensation can occur after you apply calcipotriene to your skin. This is another common side effect reported in studies of calcipotriene cream, ointment, and solution. The sensation is temporary and should go away within a few minutes after application of the drug.

If this side effect continues for more than 30 to 45 minutes or becomes difficult to tolerate, contact your doctor. Also, tell your doctor if you have other symptoms, such as skin irritation, rash, or itchiness.

Your doctor will be able to recommend options to help relieve your symptoms.

Calcipotriene may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can I use calcipotriene cream on my face?

No, do not apply calcipotriene cream, ointment, or solution to your face. If you have psoriasis on your face, your doctor can recommend a different treatment option.

Does calcipotriene cause hair loss?

Possibly. Hair loss wasn’t reported as a side effect in studies of calcipotriene solution. However, some people developed folliculitis in studies of calcipotriene cream. Hair loss is a potential complication of this condition.

Follicles are tiny cavities in the top layer of skin in which individual hairs grow. Folliculitis is hair follicle inflammation, often caused by infection.

If you experience hair loss while using calcipotriene, talk with your doctor. They’ll help determine whether it’s due to the drug or another factor. They can also recommend treatments for your condition.

Before using calcipotriene, discuss your health history with your doctor. Calcipotriene may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.