calcipotriene 50 ug/g Ointment
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Vitamin D Analog class.
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
Where does this data come from?
🩺 Clinical
Calcipotriene is used to treat psoriasis (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form due to increased production of skin cells on some areas of the body). Calcipotriene is in a class of medications called synthetic vitamin D3 derivatives. It works by slowing the excessive production of skin cells.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- Calcipotriene is not a steroid at all — it's a synthetic form of vitamin D3. While steroid creams work by suppressing inflammation, calcipotriene is thought to work by binding to v...
- What exactly is calcipotriene, and how is it different from a steroid cream?
- No — calcipotriene should not be applied to the face. The label is clear on this for all product forms. If you have psoriasis on your face, talk to your dermatologist about other o...
- Can I use this on my face if my psoriasis is there too?
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Calcipotriene — tap one for details:
Where does this data come from?
Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII H4N855PNZ1
Alpha-tocopherol is a form of vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant derived from natural or synthetic sources. In medicines, it prevents oils and fats from breaking down and becoming rancid, protecting the product's stability and shelf life.
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UNII 7FLD91C86K
Edetate disodium is a chemical compound that binds and removes certain metal ions. In medicines, it acts as a preservative and stabilizer by preventing metals like calcium from interfering with the product's shelf life and consistency.
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UNII T5L8T28FGP
Mineral oil is a clear, odorless liquid derived from crude oil. It acts as a lubricant and emollient in medications, helping pills slide smoothly during manufacturing and aiding moisture retention in topical products.
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UNII 4T6H12BN9U
Petrolatum is a purified mineral oil-based jelly derived from petroleum. In medicines, it acts as an emollient, lubricant, and moisture barrier to soften skin, reduce friction, and help prevent water loss from formulations.
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UNII 6DC9Q167V3
Propylene glycol is a clear liquid derived from petroleum or vegetable sources. It acts as a solvent, humectant, and preservative in medicines, helping dissolve active ingredients and maintain product stability.
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UNII GR686LBA74
Sodium phosphate, dibasic is a salt derived from phosphoric acid. It acts as a buffer to help maintain the medicine's pH balance and may serve as a binder or filler in tablets and capsules.
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UNII V56DFE46J5
Steareth-2 is a synthetic emulsifier made from stearic acid and ethylene oxide. It helps mix oil and water-based ingredients together in the formulation and may improve how the medicine spreads or dissolves.
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UNII 059QF0KO0R
Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.
8 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Can inactive ingredients matter?
💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per g | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $2.123 | $127.39 / 60 g |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $2.22 | $132.96 / 60 g |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $2.68 | $161.00 / 60 g |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcipotriene 50 ug/g 66993-0877-61 | Prasco | 1 tube | $1.087 | AB | Availability likely | save 49% |
| calcipotriene 50 ug/g 68462-0501-65 | Glenmark | 1 tube | $1.087 | AB | Availability likely | save 49% |
| calcipotriene 50 ug/g 16714-0763-01 | Northstar | 1 tube | $1.087 | AB | Availability likely | save 49% |
| calcipotriene 50 ug/gthis 66993-0878-61 | Prasco | 1 tube | $2.123 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Calcipotriene 50 ug/g 68462-0310-65 | Glenmark | 60 g | $2.123 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Calcipotriene .05 mg/g 51672-4154-03 | Sun | 1 tube | $2.268 | AB | FDA listed | +7% |
| Calcitrene .05 mg/g 51672-5278-03 | Sun | 1 tube | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
FDA-approved generic versions are listed, and recent pricing/market data suggests they may be available — see Therapeutic equivalents.
Where does this data come from?
🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
💊 Medicaid utilization by pack size
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Age at onset
Reporter sex
Serious outcomes
Where does this data come from?
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Per unit | Per pack | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66993-0878-61 You're viewing this | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (66993-878-61) / 60 g in 1 TUBE | $2.12 / g | $127.38 | 2013-07-01 | Active |
| 66993-0878-78 | 1 TUBE in 1 CARTON (66993-878-78) / 120 g in 1 TUBE | $2.26 / g | $270.88 | 2013-07-01 | Active |
This pack has the lowest per-g cost of the 2 priced pack sizes ($2.12 NADAC).
In Medicaid, this is the most-dispensed pack of this product — about 88% of fills over the last four reported quarters. See all packs ↓
Pack size FAQ
What quantity is in NDC 66993-0878-61?
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of calcipotriene 50 ug/g Ointment?
Prices are the latest CMS NADAC pharmacy acquisition cost per NDC; per-pack figures are per-unit × pack quantity, shown only when the pack is denominated in the same measure NADAC prices.
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Calcipotriene Ointment, 0.005%, is indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults. The safety and effectiveness of topical calcipotriene in dermatoses other than psoriasis have not been established.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply a thin layer of Calcipotriene Ointment once or twice daily and rub in gently and completely.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Calcipotriene Ointment is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation. It should not be used by patients with demonstrated hypercalcemia or evidence of vitamin D toxicity. Calcipotriene Ointment should not be used on the face.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS Contact dermatitis, including allergic contact dermatitis, has been observed with the use of Calcipotriene Ointment.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinical Trials Experience In controlled clinical trials, the most frequent adverse reactions reported for Calcipotriene Ointment were burning, itching and skin irritation, which occurred in approximately 10-15% of patients. Erythema, dry skin, peeling, rash, dermatitis, worsening of psoriasis including development of facial/scalp psoriasis were reported in 1 to 10% of patients. Other experiences reported in less than 1% of patients included skin atrophy, hyperpigmentation, hypercalcemia, and folliculitis.
Once daily dosing has not been shown to be superior in safety to twice daily dosing. Postmarketing Experience Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The following adverse reactions associated with the use of Calcipotriene Ointment have been identified post-approval: contact dermatitis, including allergic contact dermatitis.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Studies of teratogenicity were done by the oral route where bioavailability is expected to be approximately 40-60% of the administered dose. In rabbits, increased maternal and fetal toxicity were noted at a dosage of 12 μg/kg/day (132 μg/m 2 /day); a dosage of 36 μg/kg/day (396 μg/m 2 /day) resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of incomplete ossification of the pubic bones and forelimb phalanges of fetuses. In a rat study, a dosage of 54 μg/kg/day (318 μg/m 2 /day) resulted in a significantly increased incidence of skeletal abnormalities (enlarged fontanelles and extra ribs).
The enlarged fontanelles are most likely due to calcipotriene's effect upon calcium metabolism. The estimated maternal and fetal no-effect exposure levels in the rat (43.2 μg/m2/day) and rabbit (17.6 μg/m 2 /day) studies are approximately equal to the expected human systemic exposure level (18.5 μg/m 2 /day) from dermal application. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Therefore, Calcipotriene Ointment should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of Calcipotriene Ointment in pediatric patients have not been established. Because of a higher ratio of skin surface area to body mass, pediatric patients are at greater risk than adults of systemic adverse effects when they are treated with topical medication.
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
Geriatric Use Of the total number of patients in clinical studies of calcipotriene ointment, approximately 12% were 65 or older, while approximately 4% were 75 and over. The results of an analysis of severity of skin-related adverse events showed a statistically significant difference for subjects over 65 years (more severe) compared to those under 65 years (less severe).
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE Topically applied Calcipotriene Ointment can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects. Elevated serum calcium has been observed with excessive use of Calcipotriene Ointment.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY In humans, the natural supply of vitamin D depends mainly on exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun for conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to vitamin D 3 (cholecalciferol) in the skin. Calcipotriene is a synthetic analog of vitamin D 3 . Clinical studies with radiolabelled Calcipotriene Ointment indicate that approximately 6% (± 3%, SD) of the applied dose of calcipotriene is absorbed systemically when the ointment is applied topically to psoriasis plaques, or 5% (± 2.6%, SD) when applied to normal skin, and much of the absorbed active is converted to inactive metabolites within 24 hours of application.
Vitamin D and its metabolites are transported in the blood, bound to specific plasma proteins. The active form of the vitamin, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D 3 (calcitriol), is known to be recycled via the liver and excreted in the bile. Calcipotriene metabolism following systemic uptake is rapid, and occurs via a similar pathway to the natural hormone.
The primary metabolites are much less potent than the parent compound. There is evidence that maternal 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D 3 (calcitriol) may enter the fetal circulation, but it is not known whether it is excreted in human milk. The systemic disposition of calcipotriene is expected to be similar to that of the naturally occurring vitamin.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Calcipotriene Ointment, 0.005% is available in: 60 gram aluminum tubes NDC 66993-878-61 120 gram aluminum tubes NDC 66993-878-78
📦 Storage and Handling ▾
STORAGE Store at controlled room temperature 15°C-25°C (59°F-77°F). Do not freeze.
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Calcipotriene Ointment, 0.005% contains the compound calcipotriene, a synthetic vitamin D 3 derivative, for topical dermatological use. Chemically, calcipotriene is (5Z,7E,22E,24S)-24-cyclopropyl-9,10-secochola-5,7,10(19),22-tetraene-1α,3β,24-triol-, with the empirical formula C 27 H 40 O 3 , a molecular weight of 412.6, and the following structural formula: Calcipotriene is a white or off-white crystalline substance. Calcipotriene Ointment contains calcipotriene 50 μg/g in an ointment base of dibasic sodium phosphate, edetate disodium, mineral oil, petrolatum, propylene glycol, tocopherol, steareth-2 and water. calcipotriene structure
💬 Information for Patients ▾
Information for Patients Patients using Calcipotriene Ointment should receive the following information and instructions: This medication is to be used as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the face or eyes.
As with any topical medication, patients should wash hands after application. This medication should not be used for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed. Patients should report to their physician any signs of local adverse reactions.
Patients that apply Calcipotriene Ointment to exposed portions of the body should avoid excessive exposure to either natural or artificial sunlight (including tanning booths, sun lamps, etc.).