Dovobet Gel

Dovobet gel is used for the treatment of psoriasis in adults. It is applied to the affected skin areas once daily. When using on the body- The recommended duration of treatment is 8 weeks for “non-scalp” areas. The maximum daily dose of Dovobet is 15g (this equates to just under 4 teaspoons) and the body surface area that is treated with Dovobet should not exceed 30%. When using on the scalp- The recommended duration of treatment for scalp psoriasis with Dovobet Gel is 4 weeks. Areas of scalp psoriasis should be treated with between 1g and 4g of Dovobet per day (4g is equivalent to one teaspoon of Dovobet).

Dovobet gel combines the effects of its two active ingredients. Calcipotriol is a vitamin D analogue that works by inhibiting keratinocyte (skin cells) proliferation and thus reducing skin turnover and helping to reduce the inflammation associated with psoriasis. Vitamin D has also been shown to have beneficial effects on the immune system, preventing it from becoming over-reactive, as is thought to be the case in psoriasis. Betamethasone, like other steroids reduces the inflammatory immune system response, helping to treat flares of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

• The bottle should be shaken prior to using and the gel applied to the affected areas.
• Dovobet should be applied once daily to affected areas not exceeding 30% of the body surface area.
• Do not apply the gel to areas of the skin that are not affected by the psoriasis. If small amounts do get on healthy skin, don’t worry but wipe it off if it this is excessive.
• Wash hands after applying the gel unless the hands were the area being treated.
• Do not shower or bath immediately after the application of the gel. For optimal effect the gel should be left on overnight or throughout the day to gradually absorb into the skin.
• For the treatment of “non-scalp psoriasis” progress should generally be reviewed by the prescribing clinician after 8 weeks.


When applying to the scalp:

• Prior to applying Dovobet to the scalp, comb the hair to remove any scales that may be loose. It is not necessary to wash the hair prior to application.
• Tilt the head backwards the ensure the gel does not run into the face.
• Apply Dovobet directly to the affected areas using the fingertips.
• Dovobet should be applied once daily.
• 1g to 4g (up to one teaspoon) is generally sufficient when applying Dovobet to the scalp.
• Treatment should generally be reviewed by the prescribing clinician after 4 weeks of using the product.

To wash the hair after application:
• Apply a shampoo to the dry hair, particularly focusing on the areas where the gel was applied.
• Leave the shampoo on the scalp for 2-3 minutes prior to washing off.
• Wash the hair as normal repeating the above steps once or twice if necessary to remove the gel.

•        Avoid applying to areas of broken or damaged skin.

•        Dovobet should not come into contact with the eyes, lips, mouth, nostrils or mucous membranes. If product enters the eye, wash immediately with warm water.

•        Avoid applying to the face or genitals, as these areas are particularly sensitive to the steroid in the medication.

•        Avoid using more than 15g per day. This equates to just under 4 teaspoons of Dovobet (one teaspoon is equal to 4g of Dovobet).

•        Avoid smoking or going near naked flames. Fabric that has been in contact with Dovobet will burn more easily, increasing risk of severe burns.

There is insufficient evidence for Dovobets use in pregnancy in human studies and for this reason we will not prescribe this medicine in pregnant women. There is insufficient data on excretion of calcipotriol in breast milk. For this reason we do not prescribe it to breast feeding women.

Active Ingredients: calcipotriol monohydrate 50micrograms/g + betamethasone 0.5mg/g

Other Ingredients: Paraffin, liquid, Polyoxypropylene stearyl ether, Castor oil, hydrogenated, Butylhydroxytoluene (E321), All-rac-α-tocopherol

Shelf Life: 3 years. After first opening: 6 months.

All medications and products can potentially cause side effects- If they are severe, or are mild and do not improve, then you should speak to your pharmacist or doctor immediately.

Common Side Effects (affecting 1% to 10% of people)
Itchiness.

Uncommon Side effects (affecting 0.1%-1% of people):
Redness/irritation of the skin, worsening or flare up of psoriasis, skin infections, infection of the hair follicles, acne, burning sensation to the skin.

There are many other psoriasis treatments available which are listed in our psoriasis guide. These include various steroid and vitamin D analogue preparations, as well as combination products containing both and many more. If you need help choosing, then start a questionnaire-based consultation or book in for a friendly telephone or video consultation with one of our dermatology pharmacists.