Like all medicines, calcipotriol can cause side effects in some people, but not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
These common side effects of calcipotriol happen in around 1 in 10 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Skin irritation, including redness, swelling, itching or dryness
To reduce the chances of these side effects, only use the recommended dose of calcipotriol on the psoriasis plaques. Wash off any medicine that touches healthy skin. Use an unperfumed moisturiser (emollient) on your skin to help with dryness and irritation.
Skin irritation should not last long, but if it does not go away or becomes severe, speak to your doctor.
Your psoriasis gets worse
Speak to your doctor. They may want to review your treatment.
Burning or stinging feeling
This should not last long but if it does not go away or becomes severe, speak to your doctor.
Keep using the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.
Call a doctor or call 111 now if you have any of these symptoms which may be a sign of too much calcium in your blood or pee:
- needing to pee more often
- feeling thirsty
- losing your appetite
- a dry mouth or a metallic taste in your mouth
- feeling weak or pain in your muscles or bones
- headache
- stomach pain
- feeling sick
- constipation
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, calcipotriol can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of calcipotriol. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.