Curatoderm ointment and lotion (Tacalcitol)

How does it work?

Curatoderm ointment and lotion both contain the active ingredient tacalcitol, which is a type of medicine called a vitamin D analogue.

Tacalcitol is used to treat plaque psoriasis, which is a condition that results in the scaling and thickening of the skin due to excessive skin cell production.

Tacalcitol reduces the excessive skin cell production by binding to vitamin D receptors on skin cells called keratinocytes, in the same way as natural vitamin D would bind. This helps to bring the rate at which skin cells are produced back to normal and therefore helps to improve the symptoms of psoriasis.

Curatoderm ointment or lotion should be applied to the affected areas of skin once daily, preferably at bedtime.

What is it used for?

• Plaque psoriasis.

Warning!

• Curatoderm cream and lotion are for external use only and must not be taken by mouth.
• Avoid contact with the eyes. If you do accidentally get the ointment or lotion in your eyes, rinse them immediately with plenty of water.
• Use of the ointment on the face should be limited, as the skin on the face is more prone to irritation.
• Wash your hands immediately after applying this medicine, unless the hands are the area being treated.
• Do not use more of this medicine than your doctor has prescribed, as this will increase the risk of experiencing side effects.
• If your skin gets very irritated while using this medicine, stop using it and seek medical advice from your doctor.
• You should avoid using skin exfoliating products and astringents while using this medicine, as they may increase any skin irritation.

Use with caution in

• People with decreased kidney function (the amount of calcium in your blood should be monitored).
• People who are taking calcium supplements, high doses of vitamin D, or other medicines that can increase the amount of calcium in the blood (see end of factsheet for more details).
• People with generalised pustular or exfoliative psoriasis.

Not to be used in

• People with calcium metabolism disorders.
• People with high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia).
• This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• This medicine may be absorbed through the skin in small amounts. Its safety for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
• This medicine may be absorbed through the skin in small amounts. It is not known if it passes into breast milk. If the breast area is the affected area of skin this medicine should not be used during breastfeeding. In other cases, this medicine should not be used during breastfeeding unless considered essential by your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Itching, redness, burning or pins and needles sensations in the treated area(s).
• Allergic inflammation of the skin (contact dermatitis).
• Worsening of the psoriasis (rare).
• Increased level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia).

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already using, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new medicines while using this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

There may be a risk of raised calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcaemia) if this ointment is used by people regularly taking any of the following medicines:

• thiazide diuretics, such as bendroflumethiazide, indapamide and metolazone
• calcium supplements, such as Calcichew, Calcichew forte
• high doses of vitamin D.

If your skin is irritated by Curatoderm ointment or lotion, the use of skin products such as exfoliating agents, astringents and other irritants may make this worse. For this reason, these types of products are best avoided whilst using Curatoderm.

If you are having UV light treatment while using this medicine, the light treatment should be given in the morning and this medicine applied in the evening.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

There are currently no other medicines containing tacalcitol available in the UK.