DOVOBET What is it?
Dovobet is a topical ointment for plaque psoriasis. It is a stable combination of calcipotriol (as in Dovonex) and betamethasone dipropionate (a potent corticosteroid). It is available in 60gm and 120gm tubes and is manufactured by Leo Pharmaceuticals.
Who is it for?
For patients with severe plaque psoriasis covering no more than 30% if their body. It is NOT recommended for those with erythrodermic, pustular or guttate psoriasis. It is not licensed for pregnant women or for children under the age of 18. Due to the potency of the steroid, it is not advisable to use Dovobet on the face, genital areas or the scalp.
How does it work?
Both of the above ingredients are widely used, in their separate forms, for the treatment of psoriasis. Dovobet combines the two in a form that does not degrade either ingredient and allows both to work effectively together. The calcipotriol regulates and inhibits cell growth – therefore lessening the flaking of the psoriasis patches. The steroid part of the ointment has an anti-inflammatory property – therefore lessening the redness and raised look of the patch.
How do I use Dovobet?
Dovobet is applied directly to the psoriasis.
Current guidelines recommend that:
It should not be used for any more than 4 weeks in one treatment
and
No more than 100gm to be applied per week.
What side effects could I suffer using Dovobet?
In trials, 5-10% of patients suffered pruritus (itchiness).
However, as with any steroid-based topical preparation, extreme caution should be used when stopping treatment. Although no official research has been published, some patients posting on the PHO Forums have experienced mild to severe flare-up of their psoriasis when they have finished using Dovobet. With these experiences in mind, please discuss any concerns in this area with the prescribing GP or dermatologist.
There are threads and posts on Dovobet and the experiences of PHO UK members in the forums. SJ July 2004 |
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What is it?
Hydro is a drug known as an 'antineoplastic'. The chemicals in it help stop the growth of abnormal tissue, which may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancer). It is most commonly used to treat leukaemia, but can also be used for non-malignant disorders, incuding psoriasis and has been used as a secondline treatment alongside the other systemics since the 1970s. The exact way in which hydro works in psoriasis is unclear, but it appears to interfere with the synthesis of genetic material (DNA) inside cells. It therefore stops cells from growing and multiplying, which stops the growth of the abnormal skin cells. |
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What is it?
Methotrexate (MTX) is a folate acid antagonist. It basically blocks an essential step in DNA synthesis and causes a reduction in cell reproductive abilities. This is why it is commonly used alongside other drugs in cancer treatment (chemotherapy) because it can reduce cancerous cell growth and tumours.
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What is it?
Cyclosporin is an immunosuppressant drug developed for the prevention of organ rejection after transplant. It is actually made from a fungus and interferes with the T-cells within the immune system (many research doctors now believe psoriasis is mediated by the T-cells and are looking into targeting the immune system with new generation drug therapies). In psoriasis, Cyclo reduces inflammation and scaling. |
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This treatment combines oral or topical administration of a medicine called psoralen with exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) light. It is also called "photochemotherapy." The drug psoralen makes the skin more sensitive and responsive to this particular light. Compared with UVB treatment, PUVA treatment taken two to three times a week clears psoriasis more consistently and in fewer treatments. PUVA clears or dramatically clears psoriasis for more than 75% of patients and can lead to extended remissions. |
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PSORIASIS Psoriasis, a chronic skin disease that afflicts 1 in 50 people in the United Kingdom with patches of inflamed skin topped with silvery scales, has long perplexed scientists |
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Click on the link for a selection of books that you may find useful. These books cover many different approaches to psoriasis.