CALCIPOTRIENE: 1,337 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile
Visibly Younger Skin in Weeks
Synevra Lift & Lock — Swiss peptide serum + nutrients. 60-day money-back guarantee.
Drug Class: Vitamin D Analog [EPC] · Route: TOPICAL · Manufacturer: Mayne Pharma · FDA Application: 020273 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available
Patent Expires: May 7, 2028 · First Report: 2009 · Latest Report: 20250101
What Are the Most Common CALCIPOTRIENE Side Effects?
All CALCIPOTRIENE Side Effects by Frequency
| Side Effect | Reports | % of Total | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug ineffective | 663 | 49.6% | 1 | 55 |
| Psoriasis | 342 | 25.6% | 0 | 12 |
| Product use in unapproved indication | 147 | 11.0% | 0 | 1 |
| Therapeutic product effect incomplete | 123 | 9.2% | 0 | 1 |
| Pruritus | 108 | 8.1% | 0 | 5 |
| Treatment failure | 102 | 7.6% | 0 | 1 |
| Skin exfoliation | 97 | 7.3% | 0 | 3 |
| Arthralgia | 81 | 6.1% | 0 | 1 |
| Erythema | 79 | 5.9% | 0 | 2 |
| Rash | 75 | 5.6% | 0 | 3 |
| Off label use | 73 | 5.5% | 1 | 13 |
| Hypertension | 66 | 4.9% | 0 | 48 |
| Diabetes mellitus inadequate control | 62 | 4.6% | 0 | 48 |
| Contusion | 60 | 4.5% | 0 | 48 |
| Skin plaque | 55 | 4.1% | 0 | 0 |
| Psoriatic arthropathy | 52 | 3.9% | 0 | 2 |
| Peripheral swelling | 51 | 3.8% | 0 | 28 |
| Papule | 48 | 3.6% | 0 | 1 |
| Pain | 44 | 3.3% | 0 | 2 |
| Blood pressure inadequately controlled | 41 | 3.1% | 0 | 33 |
Who Reports CALCIPOTRIENE Side Effects? Age & Gender Data
Gender: 49.5% female, 50.5% male. Average age: 58.4 years. Most reports from: US. View detailed demographics →
Is CALCIPOTRIENE Getting Safer? Reports by Year
| Year | Reports | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| 2014 | 17 | 0 | 7 |
| 2015 | 12 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 20 | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 | 34 | 0 | 3 |
| 2019 | 20 | 0 | 4 |
| 2020 | 15 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | 13 | 0 | 3 |
| 2022 | 19 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | 30 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What Is CALCIPOTRIENE Used For?
| Indication | Reports |
|---|---|
| Psoriasis | 818 |
| Product used for unknown indication | 256 |
| Psoriatic arthropathy | 43 |
| Morphoea | 15 |
| Actinic keratosis | 13 |
| Pruritus | 12 |
| Skin cancer | 10 |
| Eczema | 8 |
| Precancerous skin lesion | 8 |
| Rash | 8 |
CALCIPOTRIENE vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?
Other Drugs in Same Class: Vitamin D Analog [EPC]
Official FDA Label for CALCIPOTRIENE
Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.
Drug Description
Calcipotriene foam contains the compound calcipotriene, a synthetic vitamin D3 analog, in an aqueous-based emulsion foam vehicle for topical dermatologic use. Chemically, calcipotriene is (5Z,7E,22E,24S)-24-cyclopropyl-9,10-secochola-5,7,10(19), 22-tetraene- 1α,3β,24-triol. The structural formula is represented below: Molecular Formula: C27H40O3 Molecular Weight:
412.6 Calcipotriene is a white or off-white crystalline substance. Calcipotriene foam contains calcipotriene 50 mcg/g in an aqueous-based emulsion foam vehicle consisting of cetyl alcohol, dibasic sodium phosphate, dl-α-tocopherol, edetate disodium, isopropyl myristate, light mineral oil, polyoxyl 20 cetostearyl ether, propylene glycol, purified water, stearyl alcohol, and white petrolatum. Calcipotriene foam is dispensed from an aluminum can pressurized with a hydrocarbon (propane/n-butane/isobutane) propellant.
Chemical
Structure
FDA Approved Uses (Indications)
AND USAGE Calcipotriene foam is indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis of the scalp and body in adults and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. Calcipotriene foam, is a vitamin D analog indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis of the scalp and body in adults and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Comb the hair to remove scaly debris and after suitably parting, apply Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution), twice daily, only to the lesions, and rub in gently and completely, taking care to prevent the solution spreading onto the forehead. The safety and efficacy of Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution), have been demonstrated in patients treated for eight weeks.
Keep Calcipotriene Topical
Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution), well away from the eyes. Avoid application of the solution to uninvolved scalp margins. Always wash hands thoroughly after use.
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Calcitrene ® (calcipotriene) ointment, 0.005%, 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 should not be used on the face.
Known Adverse Reactions
REACTIONS Adverse reactions reported in ≥ 1% of subjects treated with Calcipotriene foam and at a higher incidence than subjects treated with vehicle were application site erythema and application site pain. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Mayne Pharma at 1-844-825-8500 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . ( 6 )
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Calcipotriene foam was studied in four vehicle-controlled trials. A total of 1094 adult subjects with plaque psoriasis, including 654 exposed to calcipotriene foam, were treated twice daily for 8 weeks. Adverse reactions reported in ≥1% of subjects treated with calcipotriene foam and at a higher incidence than subjects treated with vehicle were application site erythema (2%) and application site pain (3%). The incidence of these adverse reactions was similar between the body and scalp. In an open-label study, 19 pediatric subjects age 12 to less than 17 years applied calcipotriene foam twice daily for 14 days and once on Day 15. Adverse reactions included application site pain, application site pruritus and pruritus <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2 and 12.3) and Pediatric Use (8.4) ]</span> . In an open-label study, 36 pediatric subjects age 4 to less than 12 years applied calcipotriene foam twice daily for up to 8 weeks. Adverse reactions included application site pain and contact dermatitis <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2 and 12.3) and Pediatric Use (8.4) ]</span> .
6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of calcipotriene foam. 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. Skin and Subcutaneous: application site vesicles
Warnings
PRECAUTIONS General Use of Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution), may cause transient irritation of both lesions and surrounding uninvolved skin. If irritation develops, Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution), should be discontinued. For external use only. Keep out of the reach of children. Always wash hands thoroughly after use. Reversible elevation of serum calcium has occurred with use of topical calcipotriene. If elevation in serum calcium outside the normal range should occur, discontinue treatment until normal calcium levels are restored. Information for Patients Patients using Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution) should receive the following information and instructions: This medication is to be used only as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the face or eyes. As with any topical medication, patients should wash their hands after application. This medication should not be used for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed. Patients should report to their physician any signs of adverse reactions. Patients that apply Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution) to exposed portions of the body should avoid excessive exposure to either natural or artificial sunlight (including tanning booths, sun lamps, etc.) Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility When calcipotriene was applied topically to mice for up to 24 months at dosages of 3, 10 and 30 μg/kg/day (corresponding to 9, 30 and 90 μg/m 2 /day), no significant changes in tumor incidence were observed when compared to control. In a study in which albino hairless mice were exposed to both UVR and topically applied calcipotriene, a reduction in the time required for UVR to induce the formation of skin tumors was observed (statistically significant in males only), suggesting that calcipotriene may enhance the effect of UVR to induce skin tumors. Patients that apply Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution) to exposed portions of the body should avoid excessive exposure to either natural or artificial sunlight (including tanning booths, sun lamps, etc.). Physicians may wish to limit or avoid use of phototherapy in patients that use Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution). Calcipotriene did not elicit any mutagenic effects in an Ames mutagenicity assay, a mouse lymphoma TK locus assay, a human lymphocyte chromosome aberration assay, or in a micronucleus assay conducted in mice. Studies in rats at doses up to 54 μg/kg/day (324 μg/m 2 /day) of calcipotriene indicated no impairment of fertility or general reproductive performance.
Pregnancy Teratogenic
Effects: Pregnancy Category C Studies of teratogenicity were done by the oral route where bioavailability is expected to be approximately 40-60% of the administered dose. Increased rabbit maternal and fetal toxicity was noted at 12 μg/kg/day (132 μg/m 2 /day). Rabbits administered 36 μg/kg/day (396 μg/m 2 /day) resulted in fetuses with a significant increase in the incidences of pubic bones, forelimb phalanges, and incomplete bone ossification. In a rat study, oral doses of 54 μg/kg/day (318 μg/m 2 /day) resulted in a significantly higher incidence of skeletal abnormalities consisting primarily of enlarged fontanelles and extra ribs. The enlarged fontanelles are most likely due to calcipotriene’s effect upon calcium metabolism. The maternal and fetal calculated no-effect exposures in the rat (43.2 μg/m 2 /day) and rabbit (17.6 μg/m 2 /day) studies are greater than the expected human systemic exposure level (0.13 μg/m 2 /day) from dermal application. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution), should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nursing Mothers
There is evidence that maternal 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D 3 (calcitriol) may enter the fetal circulation, but it is not known whether it is excreted in human milk. The systemic disposition of calcipotriene is expected to be similar to that of the naturally occurring vitamin. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution) is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of Calcipotriene Topical Solution, 0.005% (Scalp Solution), in pediatric patients have not been specifically established. Because of a higher ratio of skin surface area to body mass, pediatric patients are at greater risk than adults of systemic adverse effects when they are treated with topical medication.
Geriatric
Use Of the total number of patients in clinical studies of calcipotriene solution, approximately 16% were 65 or older, while approximately 4% were 75 and over. The results of an analysis of severity of skin-related adverse events showed no differences for subjects over 65 years compared to those under 65 years, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
Precautions
PRECAUTIONS General Use of calcipotriene cream may cause transient irritation of both lesions and surrounding uninvolved skin. If irritation develops, calcipotriene cream should be discontinued. For external use only. Keep out of the reach of children. Always wash hands thoroughly after use. Reversible elevation of serum calcium has occurred with use of topical calcipotriene. If elevation in serum calcium outside the normal range should occur, discontinue treatment until normal calcium levels are restored. Information for Patients Patients using calcipotriene cream should receive the following information and instructions: 1. This medication is to be used only as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the face or eyes. As with any topical medication, patients should wash their hands after application. 2. This medication should not be used for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed. 3. Patients should report to their physician any signs of adverse reactions. 4. Patients that apply calcipotriene cream to exposed portions of the body should avoid excessive exposure to either natural or artificial sunlight (including tanning booths, sun lamps, etc.). Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility When calcipotriene was applied topically to mice for up to 24 months at dosages of 3, 10 and 30 mcg/kg/day (corresponding to 9, 30 and 90 mcg/m 2 /day), no significant changes in tumor incidence were observed when compared to control. In a study in which albino hairless mice were exposed to both UVR and topically applied calcipotriene, a reduction in the time required for UVR to induce the formation of skin tumors was observed (statistically significant in males only), suggesting that calcipotriene may enhance the effect of UVR to induce skin tumors. Patients that apply calcipotriene cream to exposed portions of the body should avoid excessive exposure to either natural or artificial sunlight (including tanning booths, sun lamps, etc.). Physicians may wish to limit or avoid use of phototherapy in patients that use calcipotriene cream. Calcipotriene did not elicit any mutagenic effects in an Ames mutagenicity assay, a mouse lymphoma TK locus assay, a human lymphocyte chromosome aberration assay, or in a micronucleus assay conducted in mice. Studies in rats at doses up to 54 mcg/kg/day (324 mcg/m 2 /day) of calcipotriene indicated no impairment of fertility or general reproductive performance.
Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects
Studies of teratogenicity were done by the oral route where bioavailability is expected to be approximately 40 to 60% of the administered dose. Increased rabbit maternal and fetal toxicity was noted at 12 mcg/kg/day (132 mcg/m 2 /day). Rabbits administered 36 mcg/kg/day (396 mcg/m 2 /day) resulted in fetuses with a significant increase in the incidences of pubic bones, forelimb phalanges, and incomplete bone ossification. In a rat study, oral doses of 54 mcg/kg/day (318 mcg/m 2 /day) resulted in a significantly higher incidence of skeletal abnormalities consisting primarily of enlarged fontanelles and extra ribs. The enlarged fontanelles are most likely due to calcipotriene's effect upon calcium metabolism. The maternal and fetal calculated no-effect exposures in the rat (43.2 mcg/m 2 /day) and rabbit (17.6 mcg/m 2 /day) studies are approximately equal to the expected human systemic exposure level (18.5 mcg/m 2 /day) from dermal application. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, calcipotriene cream should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nursing Mothers
There is evidence that maternal 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D 3 (calcitriol) may enter the fetal circulation, but it is not known whether it is excreted in human milk. The systemic disposition of calcipotriene is expected to be similar to that of the naturally occurring vitamin. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when calcipotriene cream is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of calcipotriene cream in pediatric patients have not been established. Because of a higher ratio of skin surface area to body mass, pediatric patients are at greater risk than adults of systemic adverse effects when they are treated with topical medication.
Geriatric
Use Of the total number of patients in clinical studies of calcipotriene cream, approximately 15% were 65 or older, while approximately 3% were 75 and over. There were no significant differences in adverse events for subjects over 65 years compared to those under 65 years of age. However, the greater sensitivity of older individuals cannot be ruled out.