Dovobet

Dovobet is a cream used to treat psoriasis. It contains a corticosteroid and a form of vitamin D. You can apply it to psoriasis on your scalp and to plaque psoriasis, also called psoriasis vulgaris, on other parts of your body.

Psoriasis occurs when your body makes skin cells too rapidly. Dovobet works to normalise the production of these skin cells and ease any inflammation linked to psoriasis.

Dovobet contains a stronger steroid than the creams you can buy at the pharmacy, such as hydrocortisone, so you'll need a prescription to get it. This allows a clinician to ensure it's safe for you to use, as it can cause side effects if not used properly.

Psoriasis occurs when your skin cells are produced too rapidly, leading to thick, scaly patches and red inflammation. Dovobet contains two active ingredients that work together to ease psoriasis symptoms and address the underlying cause.

Betamethasone is a steroid that helps reduce inflammation by blocking the production of proteins that cause it. It works by suppressing the genes that create these proteins, which in turn calms down the inflammatory pathways, leading to less redness and swelling.

Calcipotriol, a type of vitamin D, helps slow down the rapid reproduction of skin cells. When used alongside betamethasone, it can enhance its effectiveness in adults with moderate to severe psoriasis. This combination can also allow for a lower dose and shorter treatment period with betamethasone, which may reduce the risk of side effects.

Dovobet is a topical treatment that combines a corticosteroid with a type of vitamin D to help manage and alleviate your psoriasis. However, there are other psoriasis treatments available that contain different active ingredients and work in various ways.

Emollients are another type of topical treatment for psoriasis that you apply straight onto the affected skin. They work by moisturising and softening your skin, which can help reduce itching and scaling. Some other topical treatments may work better when used on moisturised skin, so emollients might be given alongside another treatment to enhance its effectiveness.

Calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, are ointments and creams applied to the skin that work on your immune system to ease inflammation. Inflammation is your body's response to harmful triggers, so calming your immune system can be beneficial. These treatments are often used for psoriasis on sensitive areas like the face or genitals.

Phototherapy, which involves using natural and artificial light, can be administered in hospitals and is sometimes combined with other treatments, such as coal tar. Coal tar can help reduce inflammation and slow down the production of new skin cells. If other treatments haven't been effective or if your psoriasis is particularly severe, there are oral tablets and injections available. However, these options can come with more serious side effects.

Dovobet has been shown to be effective for treating psoriasis in clinical trials. In a 2002 study lasting four weeks, Dovobet was compared with a vitamin D-only treatment (Dovonex) and a placebo for psoriasis. In this study, 150 participants used Dovobet once a day (a combination of corticosteroid and vitamin D), 234 used it twice a day, 227 used Dovonex (vitamin D only) twice a day, and 207 were given a placebo twice a day. There was no significant difference in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) between those using Dovobet once or twice daily. However, both groups using Dovobet showed a much greater reduction in PASI (68.6% for once daily and 73.8% for twice daily) compared to the vitamin D-only group (58.8%) and the placebo group (26.6%).