Calcitriol topical

Calcitriol comes as an ointment to apply to the skin. It is usually applied two times a day, in the morning and evening. Apply calcitriol ointment at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Apply calcitriol ointment exactly as directed. Do not apply more or less of it or apply it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will tell you how much ointment to apply. Do not use more than two tubes of calcitriol ointment per week.

Apply calcitriol ointment to the areas of skin affected by psoriasis. Do not apply calcitriol ointment to healthy skin or anywhere on your face, eyes, lips, or vagina. Do not swallow the medication.

Apply the ointment to the affected skin and gently rub the ointment into the skin until no medication is visible. Do not cover the skin where you applied calcitriol ointment with a bandage or dressing unless your doctor tells you that you should. Wash your hands well with soap and water after you apply calcitriol ointment.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Calcitriol topical is usually applied once in the morning and once in the evening. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not share this medication with other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine.

Apply a thin layer of the medication and rub it in completely.

Do not cover treated skin areas unless your doctor has told you to.

Calcitriol topical is for use only on areas of psoriasis. Avoid getting it on healthy skin areas.

Calcitriol topical should not be applied to the face or the vaginal area.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the medicine to freeze.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, weakness, or confusion.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

You should not use this medication if you have a severe form of psoriasis (with pus, skin peeling, severe redness).

Before using calcitriol topical, tell your doctor if you have low or high levels of calcium in your blood, a calcium disorder or metabolic imbalance, or if you are receiving UV light treatments (phototherapy) for your psoriasis.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using to treat psoriasis. Also tell your doctor if you are taking a diuretic (water pill) or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain calcium or vitamin D.

Calcitriol topical is for use only on areas of psoriasis. Avoid getting it on healthy skin areas. Calcitriol topical should not be applied to the face or the vaginal area.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor if you have a serious side effect such as blistering or severe redness, itching, or other irritation of treated skin.

Using calcitriol topical can affect your body's ability to metabolize calcium. This can result in high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia). Symptoms of this condition include nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, increased thirst and urination, muscle weakness, confusion, and feeling tired or restless. Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

• If you have an allergy to calcitriol or any other part of calcitriol (topical).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high calcium levels like weakness, confusion, feeling tired, headache, upset stomach and throwing up, hard stools (constipation), or bone pain.
• Very bad skin irritation.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Skin irritation.
• Itching.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

• 1,25 Dihydroxycholecalciferol

Psoriasis: Topical: Apply twice daily to affected areas (maximum: 200 g weekly)

>10%: Endocrine: Hypercalcemia (24%)

1% to 10%:

Dermatologic: Psoriasis (4%), pruritus (1% to 3%), skin discomfort

Genitourinary: Urine abnormality (4%), hypercalciuria (3%)

<1%, postmarketing, and/or case reports: Burning sensation of skin, dermatitis (acute; blistering), eczema (including extensive flare up), erythema, nephrolithiasis, skin atrophy

Ointment: Apply to affected areas twice a day, morning and evening

Comments:
-The maximum weekly dose should not exceed 200 g.

Use: Treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis in adults 18 years and older

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Administration advice:
-This drug should not be applied to the eyes, lips, or facial skin.
-Hands should be washed thoroughly after use.

Storage requirements:
-Do not freeze or refrigerate

UK: Use should be avoided. US: Caution is recommended. Excreted into human milk: Unknown Excreted into animal milk: Yes Comments: The effects in the nursing infant are unknown.