Calcipotriene Or Plain Old Vitamin D - Psoriasis - Inspire

Advertisement

Research Roundup brings together research opportunities currently open on Inspire, all in one place. Explore here!

Psoriasis Community

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis support group and discussion communityInspire On the Go | What Are Clinical Trials? | Inspire Shares HubJoin communityFollow

• Home
• Discussions
• Articles
• NEW Clinical Trials
• Members
• About

Back to Discussions

Sign in or join to bookmark Calcipotriene or plain old Vitamin D Psoriasis

Sticker shock yesterday when we went to pick up the script for calcipotriene that the doctor recommended. I cam home without it and read everything in the old discussions here, learning that some people got great results with the ointment but not everyone, and no one seems to like the Dovonex cream.

What I want to understand is whether the Vitamin D analogue in calcipotriene works any differently than using pure Vitamin D. Wouldn't it be a whole lot less expensive to break open a capsule or buy the D drops and rub it onto the skin?

The only thing I can think of is that maybe the analogue in the pharmaceutical binds receptors differently, or the D that you get in capsules needs to be converted to an active form.... If anyone really UNDERSTANDS this stuff, please reply.

Thanks a bunch :)

Desert0Rat Apr 12, 2014 • 7:30 PM Public Psoriasis Community Sign in or join to react 7 Replies 0 Be the first to reactSort byOldest firstFilter byAll replies

Inspire is always free, safe, and completely anonymous

Join NowJULIAinFLA Apr 12, 2014 • 7:51 PM

try...rubbing in the capsule..........at least on one part of the Ps, as a one month test ..........

and the real thing on another part of the skin ..................U have nothing to lose

0 ReactionsAnne59 Apr 12, 2014 • 8:21 PM

I asked my derm the same thing, and he said that the calcipitriene is a different chemical that binds differently. Of course, I had to try it myself. I responded to the ointment, but did not to the capsules. Though I think taking D3 capsules as intended did help.

I've been using only glycerin and coconut oil topically since November, though, with better results than I ever got from prescription topicals. If finances make prescriptions too expensive, you can try that.

0 ReactionsDesert0Rat Apr 12, 2014 • 9:01 PM

Right now I'm doing coconut oil mixed with Vit A. RayPeat.com said something about Vit A reducing cell proliferation and helping the immune system. I never got benefits from Vit D capsules either.

0 ReactionsAdvertisementnays Apr 13, 2014 • 10:08 PM

I have wondered the same thing. This forum is great :-) Thanks for the questions and answers everyone!

0 ReactionsMarbellaSD Apr 14, 2014 • 3:09 AM

A good source for less expensive Taclonex (calcipotriene and betamethasone) is Northwest Pharmacy in Canada. I pay c. $75 for 60 g (2 30 g tubes) instead of $600+. It is sourced from Turkey but says it's made by Leo, the same co. that makes it for the US market. Northwest stands by its products. It also has Dovonex, which is the calcipotriene alone, in either cream or ointment form. Cream is for $55 for 60 g. and $90 for 120 g.; ointment is $55 for 60 g. and $98 for 120 g. (Go figure!) It may take a while to arrive after ordering, but I have been very pleased with the company's service overall. To save shipping I order the largest quantity I can at a time.

Website: http://www.northwestpharmacy.com/

There are also Israeli pharmacies that have good prices.

0 ReactionsDesert0Rat Apr 14, 2014 • 5:01 AMIn reply to MarbellaSD's comment

Thanks. That is helpful advice. For now I'm going to hold off as I don't want to risk becoming photosensitive at the beginining of the summer.

0 ReactionsAdvertisementmonas Apr 14, 2014 • 6:31 PM

I have been using the betamethasone for 3 years and my derm gives me free samples of calcipotriene (calcitrene .005) and says it is exactly the same as getting it already mixed. Apply both at same time and it equals prescription. If I didn't he said it costs around 500 dollars for script... See if your derm can give you samples maybe.

0 ReactionsDelete ReplyNote RequiredCancelConfirm

Related posts

Black Seed Oil---a miracle gift from God I have been dealing with psoriasis for about 13 years now. Two years ago I was determined ...

matter2003 1531 Comments - Posted Jul 18 Something that really works !!!!!!! I have severe Psoriasis and have had it for 20yrs + I have scars everywhere from head to t...

thepain 1162 Comments - Posted Dec 18 To All Psoriasis Sufferers - I Have Very Valuable Information To Tell You Hey everyone! This is my first post ever in a discussion on here and I feel a little shy ...

suzieruckert95 188 Comments - Posted Mar 25 I had psoriasis for 28 years until recently... Hello. My name is Kimbol and I had psoriasis for 28 years until earlier this year. My psor...

kjb1070 14 Comments - Posted Jan 17 Has Covid vaccine caused your psoriasis to flare? My psoriasis was basically under control Until my second covid shot. I am in no way discou...

bb888 94 Comments - Posted Aug 04 How I CURED my Scalp Psoriasis I am 100% asymptomatic. I am finally Free of my horrifying, scalp psoriasis scabs, itches ...

Tiatigresa 19 Comments - Posted Apr 10 Psoriasis healed in 4 weeks by giving up alcohol I wanted to share my amazing news with you all and hope that it will also help many suffer...

Angel11 37 Comments - Posted Mar 07 Taltz injection site reactions? So I took my first injections of Taltz on Friday, June 3, one shot in each thigh. At the ...

beekeeper6 82 Comments - Posted Jun 15 How I've Cleared my Psoriasis (Almost all the way)! Hi guys, I wanted to take a few moments to share how I've cleared up my skin. For those w...

StephanieLawson 32 Comments - Posted Jan 13 Apple Cider Vinegar!! This stuff is amazing for Psoriasis!! I'm shocked! I gave apple cider vinegar a try about a week ago after hearing it worked wel...

Pinkorchid81 40 Comments - Posted Nov 05 Bile acid supplements to treat Psoriasis Has anyone tried taking oral bile acid supplements to treat their psoriasis? Has it worked...

TLH3000 67 Comments - Posted Jul 04 Papaya helps suppressing Psoriasis I have had Psoriasis all over my body for over 10 years now and no medicine ever helped ex...

Kanth 157 Comments - Posted Jun 19 Cosentyx and weight gain I've been on cosentyx now for about 2 months. I've went from about 95% to about 10% barely...

CuBuff10 23 Comments - Posted Jun 03 Anyone had side effects from Sorion cream ? Hey guys, so i've been reading about this sorion cream and a lot of people giving good rev...

AZ9612 117 Comments - Posted Sep 29 My Story: Taltz the miracle drug? Hi All,I'm Justin and I have had psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis since I was 18, and I'm...

jnichols914 27 Comments - Posted Apr 23 MIRACULOUSLY IN LESS THAN A MONTH MY PSORIASIS IS GONE. I AM SUFFERING FROM PSORIASIS FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS, MY PSORIASIS IS VERY ACTIVE AND IT IS COV...

Angel2021 142 Comments - Posted Jul 01 I cleared my psoriasis after 15 years hello my name is Paul.. I've never shared my psoriasis story with anyone but I want to hel...

qutthroat 140 Comments - Posted Apr 01 Give up Sugar and Heal Psoriasis! Hi! I am Misty Lavender and I have posted here before when I was about to try Humira to ri...

misty714 1018 Comments - Posted May 05 Here's my "MIRACLE" treatment/cure" for Psoriasis! I have suffered from severe psoriasis all over my body for close to 3 years and nothing pr...

FredGo 703 Comments - Posted Aug 14 cured by probiotic foods Hey everybody, my name is ben and I suffered from psoriasis for many years. I promised mys...

bennyd 88 Comments - Posted Jul 22 See Less

Community topics

• COVID-19
• Psoriasis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Complementary and alternative
• Parents, friends and family
• Teens and young adults
• Insurance and disability issues
• Emotional support and coping techniques
• Conversations
• General

Members are talking about

psoriasisPsoriasisOtezlaSkyriziTaltzAdvertisement

About this community

Living with psoriasis can affect more than just your skin—it can impact your confidence, daily comfort, and emotional well-being. In this community, you'll find people who truly understand what it means to manage this chronic condition. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, exploring treatment options, or navigating flares and remission, you're not alone here.

Connect with others facing similar challenges, ask questions, share your experiences, and find encouragement along the way. This is a safe space to talk openly about symptoms, treatments, and the ups and downs of daily life with psoriasis. You’ll also find trusted information and resources to help you feel more informed and in control of your health journey.

Join the conversation and be part of a community that gets it.

Please note, the Psoriasis Support Community and Inspire have specific Community Guidelines that state: The sale or exchange of UVA/UVB equipment and/or ultraviolet light therapy equipment is prohibited. Please see this post for more information.

Learn more

• Help
• Resource center
• Communities
• About us
• Our principles
• Privacy statement
• California notice at collection
• Terms of use

• Community guidelines
• Contact us
• For clients
• Become a partner
• For researchers
• Press inquiries
• Join our team
• Cookie preferences

Copyright 2026 Inspire | ClinicaHealth, Inc DBA Inspire