[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Other dermatological medicines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/other-dermatological-medicines/) › Calcipotriol # Calcipotriol ## Other dermatological medicines? Other dermatological medicines A vitamin D analogue cream or ointment for plaque psoriasis that slows skin cell overgrowth. Too much can raise blood calcium; it is kept off the face. Updated Nov 1, 2026 Also called: calcipotriene ## Quick facts **Group** [Other dermatological medicines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/other-dermatological-medicines/) **Target** Vitamin D receptor (VDR), a nuclear receptor **Used for** Plaque psoriasis of the body and scalp **Key effects** Burning · Redness · Temporary worsening of psoriasis **Monitor** Irritation of plaques **ATC** D05AX02 No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline. On this page - The basics Mechanism of action - Indications - Adverse effects - Pharmacokinetics - Memory aid - Safety Contraindications - Key interactions - What is monitored - Administration and safety - Pregnancy and breastfeeding - Nursing care - Study Test yourself - Connections Connections ## Mechanism of action ◎**Vitamin D receptor (VDR), a nuclear receptor**Calcipotriol ⓘ The figure shows the ligand-binding domain of the human vitamin D receptor with calcipotriol bound. **Target in 3D:** Vitamin D receptor (VDR), a nuclear receptor. PDB structure 1S19 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1S19) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom Calcipotriol is a synthetic analogue of vitamin D3. In keratinocytes it binds the vitamin D receptor; the drug-receptor complex pairs with the retinoid X receptor and binds vitamin D response elements on DNA. The genes it switches slow the excessive proliferation of psoriatic keratinocytes, push them to differentiate normally and damp local inflammation, so plaques thin and scale less. Only a small part of a topical dose is absorbed, but above the recommended weekly amount it can raise serum calcium. - Calcipotriol binds the vitamin D receptor in keratinocytes - VDR-RXR binds vitamin D response elements on DNA - Keratinocytes proliferate less and differentiate normally - Psoriatic plaques thin, with less scale and inflammation ## Indications - Plaque psoriasis of the body and scalp, often combined with a topical corticosteroid [Psoriasis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriasis/) ## Adverse effects ### Common - Burning, stinging, itching or irritation of the plaques and nearby skin - Redness, dryness and rash - Temporary worsening of psoriasis - Mild photosensitivity ### Serious (rare, important) - Hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria when the recommended weekly amount is exceeded (thirst, frequent urination, muscle weakness, loss of appetite) - Allergic or irritant contact dermatitis; anaphylaxis (rare) ## Contraindications - Hypercalcaemia or vitamin D toxicity - Use on the face - Erythrodermic or pustular psoriasis (may not be suitable) - Hypersensitivity to any component ## Key interactions **Salicylic acid or other acidic topical products** Can inactivate calcipotriol. **Vitamin D or calcium supplements, thiazide-type diuretics** Add to the risk of high blood calcium. **Topical corticosteroids** Used together on purpose: better effect and less irritation. **Ultraviolet phototherapy and sun exposure** Skin is more easily irritated by UV light; exposure is limited. ## What is monitored - Serum calcium if large areas are treated or symptoms of hypercalcaemia appear - Irritation of plaques and surrounding skin - The total amount used each week ## Administration and safety - Applied thinly to the plaques only; hands are washed afterwards so it is not carried to the face or eyes. - The weekly amount stays within the limit on the product leaflet. - Some forms are flammable: kept away from flames and cigarettes. ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding Not usually used in pregnancy because safety is not established; during breastfeeding it is not applied to the breasts. ## Nursing care - Ask about kidney disease, high calcium and vitamin D or calcium supplements before starting. - Teach the signs of high calcium: thirst, frequent urination, metallic taste, muscle weakness. - Teach sun and UV protection on treated skin. - Explain that it is not used on the face, where it irritates. ## Pharmacokinetics **Absorption** A small fraction of a topical dose is absorbed, a little more from psoriatic plaques than from normal skin. **Metabolism** Absorbed drug is quickly converted to inactive metabolites, by a pathway like that of natural vitamin D. **Onset and duration** Improvement usually starts after about two weeks and continues for several more. ## Memory aid CALCIPOTRIOL: CALCium can rise, Psoriasis plaques only, nOt the face, and not with salicylic acid. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which receptor does calcipotriol act on, and what does it pair with? The vitamin D receptor, which pairs with the retinoid X receptor (RXR) to bind vitamin D response elements on DNA. ## What systemic problem can follow overuse of calcipotriol? Hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria; they resolve within days of stopping. ## Why is calcipotriol often combined with a topical corticosteroid? The combination works better and the steroid reduces calcipotriol's irritation. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/calcipotriol/) [More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology) ## Connections ## Related conditions 1 - [Psoriasis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/psoriasis/) [← Back to the class: Other dermatological medicines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/other-dermatological-medicines/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Calcipotriene Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a608018.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [DailyMed - CALCIPOTRIENE cream](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a882ef4f-603e-4421-97ae-2c78822c767a) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Calcipotriol: a medicine for plaque psoriasis](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/calcipotriol/) (NHS, 2026); [Crystal structure of VDR ligand binding domain complexed to calcipotriol.](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1S19) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/calcipotriol/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/calcipotriol/