Calcipotriene foam, 0.005% in mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition that is often frustrating for patients and challenging to treat for physicians. Multiple treatment options are available, with topicals being the mainstay in the treatment of mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Topical preparations of corticosteroids, vitamin A analogs and vitamin D analogs are available. Utilization of topical vitamin D analogs continues to increase. The most widely studied vitamin D analog is calcipotriol (calcipotriene), which is available in different preparations. Calcipotriene foam, 0.005% was recently approved in the USA for the treatment of mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Currently unpublished data from Phase I–III trials demonstrate that calcipotriene foam, 0.005% is a safe and effective option in the treatment of psoriasis. In addition, the foam vehicle will likely improve adherence, as it has been shown that patients find foam preferable to creams and ointments.