Calcipotriol is a useful drug for treating mild to moderate psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common skin disease, affecting 1%-2% of the population in the United Kingdom. Traditionally, topical treatments including coal tar, dithranol, and topical corticosteroids have been the mainstay of treatment for patients with mild to moderate disease. In recent years, however, calcipotriol, a synthetic vitamin D₃ analogue, has become one of the most widely prescribed treatments. On p 963 Ashcroft et al report on a systematic review of randomised controlled trials of topical calcipotriol in the treatment of plaque psoriasis. The results from short term studies showed that calcipotriol was more effective than coal tar, short contact dithranol, and tacalcitol. Only potent topical corticosteroids seemed to have comparable efficacy at eight weeks, with fewer short term side effects than calcipotriol.

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Relevant Article

Systematic review of comparative efficacy and tolerability of calcipotriol in treating chronic plaque psoriasis

Darren M Ashcroft, Alain Li Wan Po, Hywel C Williams, and Christopher E M Griffiths
BMJ 2000 320: 963-967. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]