What Is Dovonex?

Dovonex ointment is a topical treatment for the skin condition psoriasis. It’s a prescription-only medication, so you won’t find it over the counter. Dovonex contains the active ingredient calcipotriol, which belongs to a group of medications called antipsoriatics.

Calcipotriol is a type of vitamin D - a vitamin you usually get from food and the sun that controls the rate at which your skin cells grow. If your skin cells overgrow, you can get psoriasis.

Psoriasis causes raised, red patches and silvery, scaly patches on your skin. When you apply Dovonex ointment onto your psoriasis patches, it can reduce the amount of skin cells you make.

What is Dovonex Ointment Used For?

Dovonex is used to treat a condition called plaque psoriasis, medically known as psoriasis vulgaris. This is the most common type of psoriasis in the UK.

In clinical studies, calcipotriol is an effective treatment for mild to moderate cases and works just as well as other psoriasis treatments, such as corticosteroids.

How Does Dovonex Ointment Work?

Dovonex ointment works because of the active ingredient, calcipotriol. It’s a type of vitamin D, which means it can help control how your skin cells grow.

Psoriasis is caused by an overgrowth in skin cells, so when you apply Dovonex, it helps to stop the production of extra skin cells. Dovonex ointment also decreases how active your skin’s immune cells are.

These actions combined can make psoriasis patches go away and treat a psoriasis flare-up.

How Long Does Dovonex Ointment Take To Work?

You should start to notice a change in your psoriasis patches about two weeks after you start applying Dovonex. This may be longer or shorter depending on:

• the severity of your flare-up
• if you’re applying your Dovonex ointment every day
• your response

When using Dovonex, you’ll usually notice your flaky and scaly patches clearing up first. Your skin will start to feel smoother than it did before. Redness will go away next, sometimes in the centre of a patch before the edge. Eventually, your psoriasis patches will go away completely.

How long this takes is different for each person, but you can speak to your doctor if your psoriasis isn’t improving at all after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment.

Dovonex Ointment Dosage Directions?

You’ll either be prescribed Dovonex once or twice a day. If you’re prescribed it twice, make sure to leave plenty of time between doses, such as morning and evening. Your dose of Dovonex will depend on the severity of your psoriasis flare-up. Your doctor will tell you how much to use for each dose.

Never use more than 100 grams of Dovonex ointment in one week.

How to apply Dovonex

Dovonex is only for use on the external areas of your skin and should only be applied where you have psoriasis patches. When applying Dovonex:

• do - wash your hands before and after use (if you have psoriasis on your hand, just clean around the ointment as best you can)
• do - follow your doctor’s instructions for how much to use, as using too much will not make your psoriasis go away faster, but can cause side effects
• do - wait until any other moisturisers you use are dry before applying
• don’t - apply to the face, scalp, or genitals
• don’t - touch your eyes while you still have Dovonex ointment on your fingers

Who Can Use Dovonex Ointment?

Dovonex can be used by:

• people who have been diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris
• children aged 6 and above and adults

You shouldn’t use Dovonex ointment if you have:

• an allergy to any ingredient in the ointment
• high or low levels of calcium in your body
• severe kidney or liver problems

If you’re having ultraviolet (UV) treatment, or go on sunbeds, speak to your doctor before using Dovonex. Overexposure to UV light while using Dovonex could be dangerous.

How Much Dovonex Ointment Should Be Used?

How much Dovonex ointment you should use depends on your doctor’s instructions.

Other things that can affect the amount of Dovonex you use include:

• the size and severity of your psoriasis patches
• whether you’re an adult or a child
• how your psoriasis is responding to treatment

You should never use more than recommended by your doctor.

Conclusion

If you have psoriasis and need treatment, or you have been prescribed Dovonex ointment and need more information, speak with your doctor or a healthcare professional.

You can order Dovonex through our website after completing a secure medical consultation. We can prescribe and deliver your treatment and offer further support if you need it.

Sources

• BNF (2023). Calcipotriol: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/calcipotriol/
• EMC (2023). Dovonex Ointment: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/981/pil#about-medicine
• NHS (2022). About calcipotriol: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/calcipotriol/about-calcipotriol/
• NHS (2022). Psoriasis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/
• PubMed (2000). Systematic review of comparative efficacy and tolerability of calcipotriol in treating chronic plaque psoriasis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC27334/