Clinical Trial Psoriasis

Vitamin D for psoriasis

Oral doses of vitamin D have been considered as a treatment for psoriasis. This was caused by experiments with cholecalciferol or 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25 (OH) 2D3), the active form of vitamin D made in the kidney, which is very promising in the treatment of generalized psoriasis.

Using a daily dose of one microgram of cholecalciferol, Japanese researchers in 1986 has succeeded in treating 13 of the 17 psoriatic patents within three months. But there are risks to this treatment.

High doses of vitamin D often leads to hypercalcaemia (high calcium in the blood) which is characterized by nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, hypertension, renal failure, and coma. This was observed in the Japanese study and can occur in taking the 1,000 LU (International units) or more of vitamin D.

The topical use of cholecalciferol by the same researchers proved more beneficial and less toxic. Sixteen of 19 patients were treated within three weeks with a dose of 0.5 microgram per gram compared to three months with oral doses. However, the possibility of hypercalcemia remained since vitamin D is absorbed through the skin.

Until researchers Leo Pharmaceutical Products in Denmark sought to develop a new form of vitamin D that might clear psoriatic plaques less risks encountered in both oral and topical applications of cholecalciferol. This led to the discovery of calcipotriol.

Calcipotriol is a derivative of vitamin D3 which is just as effective as cholecalciferol in controlling the rapid growth of cells in psoriatic skin still 100 to 200 times less likely to produce hypercalcemia. Unlike other creams and ointments, it is colorless and odorless and generally well tolerated by patients.

This analogue of vitamin D3 is recommended for the treatment of plaque psoriasis type and can be used alone or in combination with UVB rays (which was discussed earlier in this series). The exact mechanism of calcipotriol is unknown, but numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this drug.

Controlled clinical trials have shown that calcipotriol is as effective as steroids and some more effective than anthranol (both who been discussed in this series) in the treatment of plaque psoriasis. calcipotriol patients using the recommended dose of 50 micrograms per gram twice daily for six months did not develop hypercalcemia at lower risk than other traditional patterns of psoriasis.

Effects long-term calcipotriol, however, are unknown and its safety in children and pregnant women has not been established. The use of more than Drugs can also be dangerous. If you exceed the recommended dose and the use of more than 100 grams per week, you may suffer from high levels of calcium in the blood.

So far, the only reported side effect is mild skin irritation that occurs in 10 to 20 percent of patients using calcipotriol. But it can be controlled through a rigorous application. Calcipotriol should not be used on the face and patients are encouraged to wash the traces of the ointment as bycatch in other unaffected areas of skin. If you experience skin irritation, stop treatment and consult a doctor immediately.

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About the Author

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com.

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