From the Guidelines
Calcipotriene shampoo is a highly effective treatment for scalp psoriasis, working by binding to vitamin D receptors to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation and enhance keratinocyte differentiation, as evidenced by a recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1.
Mechanism of Action
The medication contains a synthetic form of vitamin D3, which slows down the excessive growth of skin cells that causes psoriasis plaques. When applied to the scalp, calcipotriene helps reduce the redness, scaling, and thickness of psoriasis patches.
Efficacy and Safety
According to a recent 8-week double-blind RCT with 363 patients, calcipotriene foam was more effective in achieving an Investigator’s Static Global Assessment score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) compared with vehicle for the treatment of scalp psoriasis (P < .001) 1. The efficacy of vitamin D analogues was noted at 8 weeks but not at 4 weeks.
Administration and Precautions
The typical regimen involves applying the shampoo to a dry scalp, leaving it on for about 15 minutes, and then washing it off. Most patients use it once daily or as directed by their healthcare provider, usually for several weeks to see improvement. Some key points to consider when using calcipotriene shampoo include:
- Side effects may include scalp irritation, itching, or burning
- It's essential not to use more than prescribed since excessive use can affect calcium metabolism in the body
- Calcipotriene shampoo should not be used on the face or in skin folds
- Patients should wash their hands thoroughly after application to avoid spreading the medication to unintended areas
Combination Therapy
The use of combination treatments with vitamin D analogues and potent topical corticosteroids is more effective than either agent alone for the treatment of psoriasis, as shown in a 52-week study with 828 patients 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
What is Calcipotriene Shampoo
- Calcipotriene shampoo is a topical treatment for scalp psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin disease that affects the scalp 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- It is a vitamin D analogue that helps to reduce the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and normalize keratinocyte differentiation 4.
Efficacy of Calcipotriene Shampoo
- Calcipotriene shampoo has been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of scalp psoriasis, including plaque thickness, scaling, and erythema 3, 4, 5.
- It is often used in combination with other treatments, such as corticosteroids or salicylic acid, to enhance its efficacy 3, 4, 6.
- Calcipotriene shampoo has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated, with minimal side effects, such as irritation 3, 4, 5.
Comparison with Other Treatments
- Calcipotriene shampoo has been compared to other topical treatments, such as betamethasone dipropionate, and has been shown to be more effective in some cases 4, 5.
- The combination of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate has been shown to be the most effective topical therapy for scalp psoriasis 6.