Calcitriol Topical

Calcitriol Topical is a prescription medication used to treat mild to moderate plaque psoriasis in adults and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older.

• Calcitriol Topical is available under the following different brand names: Vectical

Common side effects of Calcitriol Topical include:

• application site reactions (pain, burning, itching, redness, irritation, or peeling)
• high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia)

Serious side effects of Calcitriol Topical include:

• hives
• trouble breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• blisters

severe redness

• itching or irritation of treated areas
• worsened symptoms or no improvement in psoriasis

Rare side effects of Calcitriol Topical include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Topical ointment

• 3 mcg/g

Plaque psoriasis

Adult dosage

• Apply to affected areas two times a day, morning and evening
• Not to exceed 200 grams/week

Pediatric dosage

• Children younger than 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children aged 2 years and older
• Apply to affected areas two times a day, morning and evening
• Children aged between 2 to 6 years: Not to exceed 100 grams/week
• Children aged 7 years and older: Not to exceed 200 grams/week

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.

• Calcitriol Topical has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Calcitriol Topical has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • aminolevulinic acid oral
  • aminolevulinic acid topical
  • methyl aminolevulinate
• Calcitriol Topical has moderate interactions with no other drugs
• Calcitriol Topical has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • bendroflumethiazide
  • calcium acetate
  • calcium carbonate
  • calcium chloride
  • calcium citrate
  • calcium gluconate
  • chlorothiazide
  • chlorthalidone
  • cyclopenthiazide
  • hydrochlorothiazide
  • indapamide
  • methyclothiazide
  • metolazone

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• None

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Calcitriol Topical?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Calcitriol Topical?”

Cautions

• In controlled clinical trials, hypercalcemia was observed; increased absorption may occur with occlusive dressings; exercise caution if coadministered with medications known to increase serum calcium level (eg, thiazide diuretics, calcium supplements, high-dose vitamin D)

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Available data on oral and IV calcitriol use in pregnant women have not identified any drug-associated risks for major birth defects, miscarriages, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes
• Lactation
  • No data available on the presence of the drug in human milk and its effects on breastfed infants or milk production
  • Advise breastfeeding women not to apply ointment directly to nipple and areola to avoid direct infant exposure
  • Unknown whether topical administration could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk