dovonex
Dovonex (Calcipotriene) is a vitamin d analog used to treat Psoriasis.
Calcipotriene · by Leo Pharma As
Available as a generic: Calcipotriene
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Calcipotriene
- Drug class
- Vitamin D Analog
- Form
- Topical
- Strength
- Calcipotriene 0.005%
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- psoriasis
- Manufacturer
- Leo Pharma As
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$1.22 per gm — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA020273
What is Dovonex?
From the FDA label:Calcipotriene Ointment, 0.005% contains the compound calcipotriene, a synthetic vitamin D 3 derivative, for topical dermatological use. Chemically, calcipotriene is (5Z,7E,22E,24S)-24-cyclopropyl-9,10-secochola-5,7,10(19),22-tetraene-1α,3β,24-triol-, with the empirical formula C 27 H 40 O 3 , a molecular weight of 412.6, and the following structural formula: Calcipotriene is a white or off-white crystalline substance. Calcipotriene Ointment contains calcipotriene 50 μg/g in an ointment base of dibasic sodium phosphate, edetate disodium, mineral oil, petrolatum, propylene glycol, tocopherol, steareth-2 and water. calcipotriene structure
How to use
Apply a thin layer of Calcipotriene Ointment once or twice daily and rub in gently and completely.
Side effects
Clinical Trials Experience In controlled clinical trials, the most frequent adverse reactions reported for Calcipotriene Ointment were burning, itching and skin irritation, which occurred in approximately 10-15% of patients. Erythema, dry skin, peeling, rash, dermatitis, worsening of psoriasis including development of facial/scalp psoriasis were reported in 1 to 10% of patients. Other experiences reported in less than 1% of patients included skin atrophy, hyperpigmentation, hypercalcemia, and folliculitis. Once daily dosing has not been shown to be superior in safety to twice daily dosing. Postmarketing Experience Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The following adverse reactions associated with the use of Calcipotriene Ointment have been identified post-approval: contact dermatitis, including allergic contact dermatitis.
Warnings
Important safety information
Contact dermatitis, including allergic contact dermatitis, has been observed with the use of Calcipotriene Ointment.
Who should not take Dovonex
Calcipotriene Ointment is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation. It should not be used by patients with demonstrated hypercalcemia or evidence of vitamin D toxicity. Calcipotriene Ointment should not be used on the face.
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Topically applied Calcipotriene Ointment can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects. Elevated serum calcium has been observed with excessive use of Calcipotriene Ointment.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Dovonex ranks — best-rated vitamin d analog for:
Dosage forms
Topical
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Dovonex treat?
- Dovonex (Calcipotriene) may be used to treat psoriasis, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How much does Dovonex cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $1.22 per gm, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Dovonex?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Dovonex. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Dovonex?
- Dovonex is marketed by Leo Pharma As. You can see Leo Pharma As's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Dovonex a brand-name or generic drug?
- Dovonex is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Calcipotriene. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Calcipotriene are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Dovonex available over the counter?
- No. Dovonex is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Dovonex come in?
- Dovonex is currently marketed as topical, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Dovonex?
- Dovonex is classified as vitamin d analog, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Dovonex FDA-registered?
- Dovonex is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA020273. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Dovonex safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Dovonex. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Dovonex?
- Dovonex's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Clinical Trials Experience In controlled clinical trials, the most frequent adverse reactions reported for Calcipotriene Ointment were burning, itching and skin irritation, which occurred in approximately 10-15% of patients. Erythema, dry skin, peeling, rash, dermatitis,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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