Health Centres - Dovobet ointment
How does it work?
Dovobet ointment contains two active ingredients, betamethasone dipropionate and calcipotriol hydrate.
Calcipotriol is a medicine that is a derivative of vitamin D. When applied to the skin it works by reducing the production of skin cells.
In psoriasis, the scaling and thickening of the skin and the appearance of raised plaques are the result of excessive skin cell production in this disease. Calcipotriol reduces the excessive skin cell production and helps improve these symptoms of psoriasis.
Betamethasone is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are medicines used for reducing inflammation. Skin inflammation in psoriasis occurs due to the irritation of the skin, and is caused by the release of various substances important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in the affected area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful.
When betamethasone is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itch. Betamethasone is a potent corticosteroid.
The combination of medicines in this ointment is used to treat stable plaque psoriasis. The ointment should be applied once a day, initially for four weeks. If your psoriasis gets worse again after you stop treatment, the medicine can used for longer to keep the psoriasis under control. However, repeated or prolonged treatment must only be used on the advice and under the supervision of your doctor.
What is it used for?
Warning!
- This medicine is for external use only.
- The ointment should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area(s).
- Wash your hands after each application, unless you are treating psoriasis on your hands. Avoid accidentally transfering the ointment to the scalp, face, mouth or eyes.
- You should not use more than 15g of ointment in one day and more than 100g in one week, and the treated area of skin should not make up more than 30 per cent of the body surface.
- If corticosteroids are used long-term, on large areas of skin, raw skin, skin folds, or under airtight dressings they are absorbed into the body more. This increases the risk of local side effects such as skin thinning, and those on other parts of the body, such as a decrease in the production of natural hormones by the adrenal glands. Do not use this medicine on large areas of damaged skin, under dressings, or in skin folds (eg armpits or under breasts), unless told to do so by your doctor.
- Consult your doctor if your skin becomes infected during treatment, as you may need to stop using this medicine and start treatment with antibiotics.
- People using this medicine to treat psoriasis should have regular check-ups with their doctor.
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