Table of Contents
Studies also report success in some patients who use vitamin D ointments in combination with phototherapy treatment.
Side Effects. Calcipotriene may cause the following side effects:
- A possible lowering of vitamin D levels, which may affect bone growth in some children
- A possible increase in blood calcium levels (seen in some people who apply calcipotriene to large areas)
- Skin irritation in about 20% of patients, particularly on the face and in skin folds
Calcipotriene appears to cause greater skin irritation than potent corticosteroids. Diluting the drug with petrolatum or applying topical corticosteroids to sensitive areas may prevent this problem.
Coal Tar
Coal tar preparations have been used to treat psoriasis for about 100 years, although their use has declined with the introduction of topical vitamin D3-related medicines. Crude coal tar stops the action of enzymes that contribute to psoriasis, and helps prevent new cell production. Tar is often used in combination with other drugs and with ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy.
Coal tar preparations have the following drawbacks:
- They stain clothing
- They cause skin irritation
- People using coal tar have increased sun sensitivity and increased risk of sunburn for up to 24 hours after use
Anthralin
Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp, Drithocreme, Micanol) slows skin cell reproduction and can produce remissions that last for months. It is recommended only for chronic or inactive psoriasis, not for acute or inflamed eruptions. People with kidney problems should use anthralin with caution.
As with tar, anthralin's use has also declined since the introduction of the topical vitamin D-related medicines, but newer formulations, such as Micanol, have made its use more tolerable. Micanol (Psoriatec) is an anthralin formulated in microcapsules, which dissolve and allow the drug to be delivered directly to the target skin areas. It is particularly useful for scalp psoriasis, and it is less likely than other formulations to stain.
Side Effects and Drawbacks. Anthralin may cause the following problems:
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Review Date: 10/21/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA,
Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
