J Drugs Dermatol
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High-potency topical corticosteroids are very effective for the treatment of psoriasis, but are associated with a number of cutaneous adverse effects. Vitamin D modulators have emerged as an important alternative to corticosteroids for the long-term topical treatment of psoriasis. Calcitriol 3 microg/g ointment has long been used to treat psoriasis in Europe and is now the only vitamin D3 ointment available for use in the United States (U. ⋯ Two clinical studies also suggested that calcitriol is similar in efficacy to short-contact dithranol, but with a lower incidence of skin irritation and staining. Together, the results of these studies demonstrate that calcitriol 3 microg/g ointment is a significant new option for topical therapy of psoriasis. Calcitriol ointment produces improvement in psoriasis symptoms that is generally similar to the improvement attained with other (except for high potency steroid) topical psoriasis therapies, with a low incidence of adverse events.