Calcipotriene (Calcipotriol)

Also known as: Dovonex/Sorilux (brands), vitamin D3 analog

Dermatology

In plain English

Calcipotriene is a vitamin-D-like cream for psoriasis. It slows the overgrowth of skin cells that causes psoriatic plaques and helps normalize the skin. It is often used with a topical steroid for better results, and it avoids the skin-thinning seen with long-term steroids. It is designed so that any drug reaching the bloodstream is broken down quickly, keeping calcium effects low.

The science

Calcipotriene is a synthetic vitamin D3 analog that binds the vitamin D receptor to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation and promote differentiation, and it dampens the IL-23/IL-17 and IL-36 inflammatory axis in psoriatic skin. It has low affinity for vitamin D-binding protein and is rapidly degraded systemically, giving strong cutaneous potency with minimal calcemic effect; combination with betamethasone dipropionate is FDA-approved and more effective than either agent alone.

References

• Reichrath J & Saternus R et al., vitamin D analogs in psoriasis (review), Dermatoendocrinol 2011
• Lee JH & Sung TJ / calcipotriene-betamethasone dipropionate for psoriasis vulgaris (evidence-based review), 2017