Dovonex Ointment

Description Dovonex ointment is used to treat chronic plaque psoriasis. When applied to the affected area as prescribed, it reduces the amount of extra scaly skin psoriasis flare-ups cause and soothes itching. Description Directions How to use it Use Dovonex ointment once or twice a day. If you've been told to use it twice a day, try to leave a gap of 8 to 12 hours between using it. Do not use more than the dose recommended by your doctor. Do not smoke or go near naked flames while using calcipotriol or just after using it. There is a risk of severe burns. How to use Dovonex® Follow your prescriber's instructions exactly. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure. This medicine is only for skin use. Do not swallow or put it inside your body. Avoid applying Dovonex to your face or your child's face to prevent irritation. Do not mix Dovonex with other medicines. Before first use, check the seal on the tube. Use the point on the cap to break the seal. Always wash your hands before applying Dovonex. Apply the medicine directly to the psoriasis-affected skin. You can put it directly on your skin or on your finger first. Apply it thickly and rub in gently. Wash your hands after applying Dovonex to avoid spreading it to other parts of your body. If using the ointment on your hands, wash only if treating other areas. Keep your skin moisturised, especially after bathing. If using a moisturiser, let it soak in before applying Dovonex. Direction Warnings Like all medicines, Dovonex can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Serious Side Effects: Get urgent medical help if you experience: Difficulty breathing Swelling of the face, especially around the eyes Severe rash, especially with blisters or bleeding Contact your doctor immediately if you notice signs of high calcium levels in your blood or urine: Frequent urination Increased thirst or loss of appetite Dry mouth or metallic taste Weakness or muscle/bone pain Headache or stomach pain Nausea or constipation Common Side Effects (affect up to 1 in 10 people): Skin irritation Worsening of psoriasis Dermatitis Redness Flaking skin Burning or stinging sensation Itchy rash and skin inflammation at the application site Itching skin Pain at the application site Uncommon Side Effects (affect up to 1 in 100 people): Folliculitis (hair follicle infection) Rash Eczema (red, itchy, scaly rash with possible blisters) Dry skin Changes in skin color at the application site Rare Side Effects (affect up to 1 in 1000 people): Allergic reaction High calcium levels in the blood Temporary increased sensitivity to sunlight Swelling or puffiness of the skin (oedema) Hives (itchy raised rash) Seborrhoeic dermatitis (dandruff or cradle cap) High calcium levels in the urine Warnings Ingredients What Dovonex contains • The active substance is calcipotriol. Dovonex ointment contains 50 micrograms of calcipotriol in each gram of ointment. • The other ingredients are disodium edetate, disodium phosphate dihydrate, all-rac-α tocopherol, liquid paraffin, macrogol (2) stearyl ether, propylene glycol, purified water and white soft paraffin. Ingredients FAQs How to use ointment Put the ointment on the areas of skin where you have psoriasis. You can squeeze the ointment straight onto your skin, or put it on your finger first if you prefer. Put the ointment on thickly (but be careful not to go over the recommended dose), then rub it in gently to cover the psoriasis. Always wash your hands after using the ointment. If you're using it to treat your hands, only wash the skin that is not affected. If you're using other medicines or moisturisers on the same area of skin, it's best to leave 30 minutes between applying each product to allow them time to be absorbed and avoid them mixing on the skin. How long to use it for Your doctor will tell you how long to use calcipotriol for. It's important to keep using it until the psoriasis plaques are clear or nearly clear. Once your skin is better your doctor will usually recommend that you stop using calcipotriol. Using it after your skin has healed will increase the risk of serious side effects such as high calcium levels in your body. Psoriasis can sometimes come back after you stop treatment. You can use calcipotriol again to keep your psoriasis under control. If you forget to use it If you forget to use calcipotriol, use it as soon as you remember, unless it's less than 8 hours until your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and use the next dose at the usual time. If you use too much If you use more than your prescribed dose of calcipotriol repeatedly, you may get too much calcium in your blood. Your doctor may tell you to stop using your medicine until the amount of calcium in your blood goes back to normal. Contact your GP or pharmacist if you need advice. FAQs