title: Long-term safety of topical calcitriol 3 microg g(-1) ointment.
abstract: To assess the topical and systemic safety and tolerance of twice-daily application of 3 microg g(-1) 1alpha25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) ointment (Silkis ointment, Galderma Laboratories) in the long-term treatment of patients suffering from chronic plaque psoriasis, we performed an open-design, multicentre study. Two hundred and fifty-three patients (155 males, 98 females) treated all their psoriatic lesions, except for those on the head and scalp, for up to 78 weeks. No serious adverse events were reported: 37 patients (14.6%) had a transient skin irritation reaction on one or more occasions during the study that resulted in study withdrawal for seven of them. The baseline/endpoint analyses showed no clinically relevant changes in measures of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and renal function. Slight hypercalcaemia was observed in five (2%) patients: in four of these patients, serum albumin-adjusted total calcium levels normalized during treatment. In conclusion, twice-daily calcitriol 3 microg g(-1) ointment is safe and well tolerated in the long-term treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gerritsen
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Van De Kerkhof
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Langner
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002117:Calcitriol