Calcipotriol cream discontinued
The manufacturer of calcipotriol cream (Dovonex®) has advised that this product has been discontinued for economic reasons.
The Psoriasis Association note that there are no safety or quality concerns. Current supplies of the cream can continue to be dispensed and used.
Calcipotriol ointment remains available, both as a generic product and as Dovonex. This may be a suitable alternative after consideration of patient acceptability of a greasier product.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of this product discontinuation and make arrangements to switch patients to suitable alternatives.
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I am very concerned that I am not able to be prescribed a cream formulation as like many others on here, ointments are totally impractical for daytime use and Silkis the non steroidal one I find useless. My psoriasis has got much worse and I don't like dovobet. I am not sure but every time I use this, I have difficulty sleeping and awful headaches. I find my doctor and pharmacists really have no idea what impact this has and how to manage this properly a psoriais sufferer needs something that can be applied that does not put a layer of grease on the skin. This isn't a life threatening disease, but it is very uncomfortable and restricts what you can wear. I hope that something can be done.
Comment by Rita — July 2, 2012 #
My sister has just sent me a link Re: Dovonex cream and scalp solution and it appears that we CAN purchase them on line with a doctors prescription (Private or NHS). A life line for all us sufferers hopefully. Not read it all but just wanted to share this with you all. There is also a doctor on hand to help. Sounds good to me. Good luck fellow sufferers.
Comment by Linda — July 5, 2012 #
@Linda,
I'm not sure you will be able to access this product despite it being advertised. It seems that some online providers have been slow in updating their product pages and are showing items that are no longer available. I hope I wrong.
Comment by Matthew Robinson — July 6, 2012 #
Hi Matthew. Thanks for telling me that. I have an appointment next week with my doctor (yet again) with the idea of asking her for a new prescription to get Dovonex online, so now it's back to the drawing board for me. The plaque I can put up with but this itching is really driving me mad.
I know that there are people much worse off than me but if only I could be giving something, anything to stop me scratching I would be over the moon, it's soul destroying. All the hospital want to give me is Methotrexate. I have heard is very dangerous so I really do not want to take it. Thanks again Matthew
Comment by Linda — July 6, 2012 #
@Linda,
Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant so it can have some very nasty side effects. That said, the health service are very much aware of these side effects which is why very regular blood tests are done frequently at the very beginning becoming a little less frequent once someone is stable. Sometimes the risk of test side effects and the regular bloods tests are well worth the benefits that can result from the treatment. Don't rule out this treatment without asking lots of questions about it first.
Comment by Matthew Robinson — July 6, 2012 #
Please Leo bring it back, it's so saddening to think there's a cure for me out there and I cannot now use it.
Comment by Emily — July 2, 2012 #
I too found only the cream to work. Discovering it was my salvation and when I heard it was being withdrawn it was like a blow to the stomach! My psoriasis has increased by about 40% and I am starting to get very depressed. I've tried everything else, all the horrid sticky ointments etc. nothing works and the ointment makes my hair greasy.
Comment by Emily — July 2, 2012 #
Everyone should email leo-pharma and get the cream back.
Comment by Emma Dell — June 14, 2012 #
I called Leopharma today and the medical information team were helpful and at the same time very apologetic. They said Dovonex cream, as reported elsewhere, was withdrawn for economic/marketing reasons. They said they contacted the Department of Health first to get permission to withdraw the cream, and that they would not have been allowed to do so unless the DoH were satisfied alternatives were available.
She also said that their medical trials showed that the ointment was a more successful treatment than the cream.
Obviously I explained that for me, and for thousands of others like me, this is not the case, and that I am desperate to get hold of the cream, as this has worked so well for me, whereas the ointment doesn't.
The woman I spoke to recorded my response and said they would write to me and then to my GP, as the information I provided would be fed back to the company and may help to reverse the decision; so I suggest that everyone affected, if that haven't done so already, contact Leopharma and officially register their views with them.
Apart from this, I guess a petition is the only other option. Leopharma's number is: 01 844 347333
Comment by Matt S — June 26, 2012 #
I have emailed Leo three times only to be told the same thing every time, that they have now discontinued the scalp solution and the cream and will not be bringing them back.
I'm slowly being driven mad by an itchy scalp that never lets up day in day out 24/7. Ointment makes the situation worse as I cannot get the grease out of my hair. I use Doublebase Gel which is really a cream from the doctor but that only moisturises but does not stop the itching. HELP.
Comment by Linda — July 5, 2012 #
Oh gosh Linda you are absolutely right! I'm suffering the same as you... my confidence has plummeted, my scalp psoriasis has got worse and also on my body which I am sure is down to shame and embarrassment. I work in an office and have to go down to the ladies loo to scratch my scalp and then blow the flakes away under the hand dryer... it's a major consideration when I lean over someone's desk to talk about work and can see the flakes falling on their keyboard. I'm so humiliated... the scalp solution used to be my lifeline and then the cream as that continue for longer. Now, I can't use the ointment as it is so greasy I can't wash it out even with fairy liquid which ruins my hair. Way to feel beautiful!!! NOT!
Comment by anita — April 28, 2013 #
As a last resort alternative to Dovonex, I was perscribed curatoderm lotion. I was so excited to get something none greasy. I went today to pick it up to find out that it has also been DISCONTINUED!
PLEASE IF ANYBODY OUT THERE KNOWS OF A CREAM PLEASE , PLEASE HELP ME.
Comment by Emma Dell — June 14, 2012 #
So many people are suffering from the discontinuation of dovonex cream. That cream was the only thing that helped me. The ointment does not work for me, it has made me depressed beyond belief. I simply cannot put grease all over myself twice a day and function normally. I have ruined so many clothes and bed sheets with the greasy, sticky alternative. I'm so upset about it. There is nothing on the market and I'm desperate to get the cream back. I don't believe there is not a market for it when you read all the people suffering on this website.
Since that cream has gone I cry everyday. I've gone from about 40% covered to about 80% covered and extremely painful. I am sick of wearing old clothes and looking like I have chip fat dripping off me. The cream worked, save my life and bring it back.
Comment by Emma Dell — June 14, 2012 #
@Emma,
Have you spoke to your GP about alternatives to the cream? There are other options?
Also, I'm quite worried about the way you are describing your frame of mind. I think you may need some help there too so please go and speak to your GP.
Comment by Matthew Robinson — June 14, 2012 #
Been to GP so many times I could scream. They say there is nothing. No alternative cream. ONLY GREASY ones, or smelly or both. They just shrug and say it's ointment or nothing.
I can't funtion with "lard" all over me. I have it on now and it makes me itch and sweat. I will be wearing old torn clothes and leaving smears on bed sheets.
The only place I don't have psoriasis now is on my hands.
Nobody takes me seriously. I don't cry in front of doctors and I put a brave face on for the outside world, I have learnt to do that after 18 years of suffering.
I need that cream back so bad.
Comment by Emma Dell — June 14, 2012 #
@Emma,
There are other ointments and while these may well be greasier than a cream they are not all created equal so you may find one that you can use. One other option is a gel which is absorbed like a cream, the issue with this product is that it also contains a steroid but given the extent of you psoriasis at the moment is may well benefit from a stronger treatment anyway.
Comment by Matthew Robinson — June 15, 2012 #
I'm sure Emma appreciates your replies Matthew, but unless you're actually in the situation that people like me and Emma are in, this is really no help at all. I do not want to use any more steroids on my skin - even though I suffer from severe psoriasis (over 50% of my body is affected) - I have used steroids on and off for over 20 years and the cumulative effect is extremely deleterious. None of the ointment alternatives to Dovonex cream are effective and they are also awful to use if you have a large amount of psoriasis. What is tragic is that Dovonex cream worked so well! It kept my psoriasis at bay and most of my body completely clear. Having run out of Dovonex cream I am now back to the horror of extreme psoriasis. I really think we need to petition Leopharma to resume manufacturing this product.
Comment by Matt S — June 26, 2012 #
@Matt S,
I am simply trying to offer solutions on my blog. If I had a magic wand I could wave that would bring the cream back I'd wave it but as we both know that's a ridiculous solution to a problem that is not of my making.
What exactly would you have me do instead of offering up the available alternatives as solutions?
Comment by Matthew Robinson — June 26, 2012 #
My daughter has got on very well with Dovobet gel so far, but have not yet revisited the GP as required or tested for the fabled rebound effect.
We went through this when Cocois (for scalp) was withdrawn by UCB. Thankfully Derma UK have now produced and equivalent that not all pharmacists/doctors know about. Perhaps Derma UK will step up again, and continue to realise their stated philosophy
"...., we recognise the importance of having a choice of products available in order for doctors to tailor treatments to individuals’ conditions".
I have emailed them, you could too.
Dovonex Ointment is also to be shrunk from 120g to 30g tubes, wasteful as I see it, but at least now it can be taken in hand-luggage on planes......rather than half ozing out of pinprick holes in the tube when transported at hold-pressure.
Comment by Clive Mason — June 13, 2012 #
I too am very sad that this cream has been discontinued and have had a flare up since not being able to get hold of it.
The solution I have found is after bathing in oilatum plus (with antiseptic), apply the ointment while my pores are open, I apply it quite thick and then put tights on to keep it close to my skin overnight. I've also been using the Dovobet scalp solution on my tougher patches and hands as I find that it is easier to apply and not as messy as the ointment. It's hard work but is stopping it flare for now. Hope this helps!
I can't belive they have discontinued the cream, it was so convienient. It's a absolute joke!
Comment by suzanne — June 7, 2012 #
Why would they stop making a cream that works for thousands of people and keep a ointment that no one likes to use? If you were a sufferer of psoriasis we would still be able to get the cream
Comment by andrea jones — June 6, 2012 #
@andrea,
Just to clarify, I am simply relaying this information, it was not my decision to discontinue this product, it was the manufacturers decision. Additionally, if, as you say, thousands of people use this cream then there would have been a continued market for it an no reason for the company to stop making it as they would have been selling large quantities. That said, use the information posted below and express your feelings to the manufacturer.
Comment by Matthew Robinson — June 9, 2012 #
I am one of those thousand and I am at my lowest point without the cream!
Comment by Emma Dell — June 14, 2012 #
I spoke to the manufacturers today, and was also told that they have discontinued the cream due to economic reasons and that they hold the licence until 2014, so I assume this means no one else can produce it. I also spoke to the Psoriasis Association, who are meeting with Leo later this year and would welcome emails, so that they can feed back the feelings of users.
I agree with other users that the ointment is awful and sticky to use.
Comment by Roberta Jennings — May 29, 2012 #