What you should know about
Dovonex Ointment
calcipotriol
This leaflet gives you some helpful information about Dovonex Ointment.
Read the leaflet carefully before you use the ointment.
If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is in Dovonex Ointment?
Dovonex Ointment contains an ingredient called calcipotriol. There are 50 micrograms of calcipotriol in each gram of ointment. Calcipotriol is the active ingredient which treats your psoriasis.
The other ingredients in the ointment are disodium edetate, disodium phosphate dihydrate, DL-α tocopherol, liquid paraffin, macrogol (2) stearyl ether, propylene glycol, purified water and white soft paraffin. These are inactive ingredients which do not treat the psoriasis and are only included to make the ointment.
The ointment comes in tubes of 60 grams and 120 grams.
The product licence is held by:
The ointment is made by:
What is Dovonex Ointment for?
You use the ointment on your skin to treat a certain type of psoriasis (plaque psoriasis). Psoriasis is when your skin cells are being produced too quickly. This causes scaling and redness.
Dovonex Ointment helps bring the rate at which your skin cells are produced back to normal.
You may notice an improvement after you have been using the ointment for about two weeks.
The scaling or flaking usually goes away first. This will make your patches of psoriasis feel flatter.
It will take longer for the redness of the skin to improve. Some people find the middle of the psoriasis patch gets better first.
Before you use the ointment
You can only get Dovonex Ointment on prescription. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you or become pregnant while you are using the ointment.
When not to use Dovonex Ointment
Do not use Dovonex Ointment if:
- you are allergic to any of the ingredients; or
- you or your doctor know you have problems with the levels of calcium in your body.
Using the ointment
You should use the ointment in the way the doctor tells you even if this is different to what this leaflet tells you to do. Read the label carefully. Your pharmacist or doctor will explain anything you are not sure about.
How should I use Dovonex Ointment?
For the best results you should use the ointment twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. If you are an adult, your doctor may suggest you use the ointment once a day.
If you are an adult and you are using Dovonex Ointment with other treatments for psoriasis your doctor will tell you when to use the ointment.
Put the ointment on the parts of your skin that are affected by psoriasis. But, do not use the ointment on your face. If you are using the ointment twice a day, try linking the time you use the ointment with another action you do twice a day, for example, brushing your teeth.
You should try to keep your skin well moisturised particularly after a bath or shower. If you are using a moisturiser, you should put it on first and wait for it to soak in before using the ointment.
Remove the cap and check that the seal is not broken before you first use the ointment. If you have a 60 grams or 120 grams tube, you will need to break the seal by using the point in the back of the cap.
Put the ointment on the parts of your skin that are affected by psoriasis. Squeeze the ointment onto your finger or onto a patch of psoriasis. Apply the ointment thickly and rub it in gently to cover the affected area. Do not use more than 100 grams in one week if you are an adult (75 grams for children over 12 years, 50 grams for children aged 6 to 12 years).
Do not worry if you accidentally get ointment on your normal skin, but wash it off if it spreads too far.
What should I remember when I use Dovonex Ointment?
Wash your hands before you use the ointment.
Wash your hands after you have used the ointment, unless you are using the ointment to treat psoriasis on your hands.
Try not to transfer the ointment from the areas you have treated to other areas of your body, especially your face.
Do not use more than 100 grams of ointment in one week if you are an adult.
Your doctor may advise you to limit your exposure to natural or artificial sunlight.
What should I do if I forget to use the Ointment?
If you forget to use the ointment at the right time, use it as soon as you remember. Then go on as before.
After you use the ointment
Do not worry if the ointment irritates your skin for a short time after you have used it. Try not to scratch the area. See your doctor if the irritation lasts for a long time.
As with all medicines, the ointment may give a few people unwanted side-effects, such as a skin rash, or a reaction to light also showing itself as a rash or redness. If your psoriasis gets worse or if you have any unexpected problems, stop using the ointment and see your doctor as soon as possible.
If you accidentally get the ointment on your face, it can cause redness or irritation on your face or around your mouth. If this happens, take extra care when you use the ointment and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. If the problem does not go away, see your doctor.
If you feel unwell or notice anything unusual, or there is anything you do not understand about using the ointment, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
Storing the ointment
Keep the ointment in a safe place where children cannot reach it. Store the ointment at room temperature not above 25°C. Keep the ointment away from heat and bright sunlight.
Do not use the ointment after the expiry date on the tube.
If your doctor tells you to stop using the ointment, take any left over back to the pharmacist. Only keep it if your doctor tells you to.
Your doctor recommended the ointment for you. Do not let other people use the ointment, even if their skin problem seems to be the same as yours.
More about psoriasis
Psoriasis is when your skin cells multiply too quickly. This causes the raised red patches and scaling you are familiar with. You can get psoriasis anywhere on your body. Psoriasis is not infectious so you do not need to worry about other people catching it from you. We still do not know what causes psoriasis but you can inherit it. Other things that can make psoriasis worse include stress.
For more help and advice about psoriasis send a stamped, addressed envelope to:
Registered charity number 257414.
If you have any questions about your treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This leaflet was revised in June 2006.
Dovonex is a registered trademark
LEO
05-97
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