What are the key benefits of Dovonex?
Dovonex works to reduce the amount of cells your skin makes. This means the skin symptoms reduce. After about two weeks you may see a change in your skin. The scaly or flaky patches usually clear up first and will feel smoother. After that, the redness of the skin will start to clear up, often from the centre of the plaques first.
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How does Dovonex work?
Calcipotriol is similar to vitamin D. When applied to the skin, it slows down the rate of growth of the skin cells, to stop them forming scaly and inflamed patches. This is how it helps the symptoms of psoriasis.
How to use Dovonex
It’s important to read the enclosed leaflet carefully before using Dovonex.
Dovonex should be applied to affected areas with psoriasis once or twice a day. Only use on your psoriasis and not on unaffected skin. Do not use Dovonex on your face. Be careful when using Dovonex in skin folds such as armpits or under the breasts. You may be more likely to get skin side effects in these areas.
Do not use more than 100 grams a week.
Is Dovonex suitable for me?
During your consultation, it is important to tell us if you are taking any other medicines, either from your doctor or purchased from a pharmacy without a prescription.
Do not use Dovonex:
- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to calcipotriol, betamethasone or any of the other ingredients of
Dovonex
- If you have problems with calcium levels in your body (ask your doctor)
- If you have severe liver or kidney problems
It’s very important to give a full picture of your general health in the consultation, to make sure the doctor has all the information required to assess the suitability of Dovonex for you. Tell us:
- If you are already having ultraviolet (UV) light treatment.
- If you have guttate, erythrodermic, exfoliative or pustular psoriasis.
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What are the side effects of Dovonex?
Like all medicines, Dovonex can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
You must get urgent medical help if you have any of the following symptoms. You may be having an allergic reaction:
- You have difficulty breathing
- Your face including around your eyes swell
- Your skin develops a severe rash, particularly if the skin is blistering or bleeding
Dovonex can cause increases in calcium levels in the body so it is important that you do not exceed the recommended dose. Raised calcium levels can produce the following. If you get any of these tell your doctor straight away:
- Increased amounts of urine (passing water more frequently or in greater quantities than usual) and/or increased thirst.
- Dry or metallic taste in the mouth
- Stomach upsets (including pain, nausea, vomiting and constipation)
- Weak muscles and/or pain in the bones
- Tiredness, fatigue and confusion
The following less serious side effects have been reported for Dovonex. These are usually mild
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Skin irritation
- Worsening of your psoriasis
- Dermatitis
- Redness
- Flaking skin
- Burning, pain or stinging feeling
- Itchy rash and skin inflammation in the area where the medicine is used
- Itching skin
There are other less common side effects. For a full list of potential side effects and other important information, please read the patient information leaflet provided in the pack before starting any course of treatment. The leaflet can also be viewed online here.
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