How to Use Dovobet Gel on the Scalp and Skin
A practical guide to calcipotriol and betamethasone gel for psoriasis: how it works, how much to use, how long a course lasts and which side effects to watch for.
Part of the Dandruff & Psoriasis Health Guide.
When to get urgent help: Call 999 or go to A&E if your skin quickly turns red and you develop white, pus-filled bumps that join together – you may also have a fast heartbeat, a high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery. These can be signs of a more serious condition, such as pustular psoriasis, or an infection. Also call 999 if you have swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing. Stop using Dovobet and contact your prescriber, GP or NHS 111 if you notice signs of a high calcium level – passing much more urine than usual, constipation, muscle weakness or confusion – or if the skin becomes infected.
Key fact: Dovobet gel contains two active ingredients — calcipotriol 50 micrograms/g, a vitamin D analogue, and betamethasone 0.5 mg/g (as dipropionate), a potent corticosteroid — and is applied once a day. In adults it is licensed for scalp psoriasis and for mild to moderate plaque psoriasis on the body.
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Access Doctor provides Dovobet gel following a GPhC-regulated online consultation with our pharmacist independent prescribers.
Start consultation →Plaque psoriasis brings persistent redness, scaling and itching. Dovobet gel contains two active ingredients with different actions — calcipotriol acts on the over-fast growth of skin cells, and betamethasone acts on inflammation. This guide explains how to use it correctly. If you are not sure it is right for you, start with our guide to scalp psoriasis.
How Dovobet works: two actions in one gel
Calcipotriol — vitamin D analogue
In psoriasis, skin cells multiply too quickly and build up into thick, scaly plaques. Calcipotriol binds to vitamin D receptors in skin cells, slowing this growth and helping cells mature normally.
Betamethasone dipropionate — potent corticosteroid
Psoriatic plaques are driven by an overactive immune response. Betamethasone reduces the inflammation behind the redness, swelling and itching.
For scalp psoriasis, NICE offers a combined calcipotriol and betamethasone product once daily for up to 4 weeks if the scalp has not responded to a potent steroid for 4 weeks followed by a further 4 weeks with a different formulation or a descaling treatment. For the trunk and limbs, NICE offers it when twice-daily treatment is impractical, or when a once-daily product would help someone keep up with treatment.
What Dovobet gel is licensed for
- Scalp psoriasis in adults
- Mild to moderate plaque psoriasis on the body (not the scalp) in adults
Dovobet gel is not recommended for under-18s. Dovobet ointment contains the same ingredients but is not licensed for the scalp, so the gel is the version used on hair-bearing skin. A foam containing the same two ingredients (Enstilar) is a separate product with its own instructions.
How to use Dovobet gel on the scalp
1
Shake the bottle
Shake the bottle before use.
2
Comb out loose scale
You do not need to wash your hair first. Comb your hair to remove loose scales, then part it so the affected skin is exposed.
3
Apply to the affected skin
Apply the gel to the plaques, not the hair, and rub it in gently. The usual scalp amount is 1–4 g a day — up to about a teaspoon.
4
Leave it on
Leave it on overnight or during the day so it has time to work. Wash your hands afterwards.
5
Washing it out
To wash it out, apply a mild shampoo to dry hair, especially where the gel was applied. Leave the shampoo for a couple of minutes, then wash your hair as usual.
How to use Dovobet gel on the body
- Shake the bottle and apply a thin layer to the plaques only, once a day, then rub in gently.
- Do not apply to the face or genitals, and keep it away from your eyes.
- Do not bandage, tightly cover or wrap the treated skin.
- Wash your hands after applying it, and do not wash or bathe the treated skin straight away.
Fire safety: clothing, bedding and dressings that have been in contact with the gel can burn more easily. Washing may reduce, but not fully remove, the residue. Do not smoke or go near naked flames.
How much and how long
| Limit | Scalp | Body |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Once a day | Once a day |
| Usual amount | 1–4 g a day (up to about 1 teaspoon) | A thin layer over the plaques |
| Usual course | 4 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Maximum per day | 15 g from all calcipotriol products combined | |
| Maximum area | No more than 30% of your body surface | |
The 15 g daily limit includes any other calcipotriol product you use. Using more than this, or treating a large area, raises the risk of a high calcium level in the blood. Repeat courses are possible, but only after a medical review.
1×
Daily application
15 g
Maximum per day, all calcipotriol products
6 months
Discard this long after first opening
Results and review
Results vary, and itching and redness may settle before the scale clears. NICE advises reviewing scalp treatment 4 weeks after starting. If your psoriasis has not improved by the end of the usual course, or is getting worse, contact your prescriber rather than continuing — another option, such as a different formulation, a descaling product or referral, may be more suitable.
After a course, a break is important. NICE advises aiming for a 4-week break between courses of a potent steroid and not using a potent steroid continuously at any site for longer than 8 weeks.
Side effects
- Common (up to 1 in 10 people): itching.
- Uncommon (up to 1 in 100 people): burning or stinging, pain, irritation or redness where applied, eye irritation, rash, dry skin, dermatitis, acne, inflamed hair follicles, skin infection and worsening of psoriasis.
- Rare (up to 1 in 1,000 people): allergic reactions, stretch marks, skin peeling and a rebound worsening of psoriasis after stopping.
- Hair colour: white or grey hair may turn yellowish where the gel is applied to the scalp.
- High calcium: very rare, usually when more than 15 g a day is used; signs include passing much more urine, constipation, muscle weakness, confusion and, in severe cases, coma.
- Steroid effects: as with other steroid products, there is a risk of adrenal suppression, blurred vision and pustular psoriasis, particularly with prolonged use over large areas.
Who should not use Dovobet gel
- People with erythrodermic, exfoliative or pustular psoriasis
- People with a disorder of calcium metabolism
- Skin with a viral, fungal, bacterial or parasitic infection, or skin affected by tuberculosis
- Thin or fragile skin, stretch marks, ichthyosis, acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, ulcers or wounds
- Anyone allergic to calcipotriol, betamethasone or any other ingredient
- Under-18s (not recommended)
- If you have severe kidney or liver disease, tell your prescriber — Dovobet has not been studied in these groups
UK safety and prescribing information
- Legal status: Dovobet gel is a prescription-only medicine (POM). At Access Doctor it is prescribed only after an online consultation with a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber, who may decline and refer you to your GP if it is not suitable.
- Calcium: stay within 15 g a day and 30% of your body surface, including any other calcipotriol product.
- Steroid withdrawal: the MHRA warns that stopping a steroid after long-term use can cause redness, stinging and burning that may spread beyond the treated area. If your skin gets worse within 2 weeks of stopping, do not restart treatment without speaking to your prescriber.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: use only if your prescriber advises it. If you are breastfeeding, do not apply it to the breasts.
- Storage: do not refrigerate. Throw the bottle away 6 months after first opening.
- Reporting side effects: you can report suspected side effects to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme website or the Yellow Card app.
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Our pharmacist independent prescribers follow NICE guidance for psoriasis. If Dovobet gel is suitable, it is dispensed from our GPhC-registered UK pharmacy.
Start consultation →Frequently asked questions
What is Dovobet gel used for?
Dovobet gel is a prescription treatment for psoriasis in adults. It is licensed for scalp psoriasis and for mild to moderate plaque psoriasis on the body. It combines calcipotriol, a vitamin D analogue, with betamethasone dipropionate, a potent corticosteroid.
How do I use Dovobet gel on my scalp?
Shake the bottle, comb out loose scales and part your hair. Apply 1 to 4 g of gel to the affected skin once a day and leave it on overnight or during the day. To wash it out, apply a mild shampoo to dry hair first, leave it for a couple of minutes, then wash as usual.
How long can I use Dovobet gel for?
The usual course is 4 weeks on the scalp and 8 weeks on the body. Repeat courses are possible after a medical review. Do not use more than 15 g a day or treat more than 30% of your body.
How long does Dovobet take to work?
Results vary from person to person. NICE advises reviewing scalp treatment 4 weeks after starting. If your psoriasis has not improved by the end of the usual course, speak to your prescriber.
Can Dovobet gel change my hair colour?
Yes, it can. White or grey hair may turn yellowish where the gel is applied to the scalp. Tell your prescriber if this concerns you.
Can I use Dovobet gel on my face?
No. Do not apply Dovobet gel to the face or genitals, and keep it away from your eyes. Wash your hands after each application.
Is Dovobet safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Dovobet should only be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding if your prescriber advises it. If you are breastfeeding, do not apply it to the breasts. Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Psoriasis · POM
Dovobet Gel
Calcipotriol 50 micrograms/g with betamethasone 0.5 mg/g, once daily, for scalp and body psoriasis.
View product →Scalp psoriasis · POM
Betnovate Scalp Application
Potent betamethasone scalp liquid for scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
View product →References
- NICE. Psoriasis: assessment and management (CG153). nice.org.uk
- NICE CKS. Psoriasis. cks.nice.org.uk
- electronic Medicines Compendium. Dovobet 50 micrograms/g + 0.5 mg/g Gel — Summary of Product Characteristics. medicines.org.uk
- MHRA. Topical corticosteroids: information on the risk of topical steroid withdrawal reactions. Drug Safety Update, September 2021. gov.uk
- NHS. Psoriasis. nhs.uk
Medical disclaimer: This article is for information only and does not replace advice from your GP, pharmacist or prescriber. Dovobet is a prescription-only medicine; always follow the instructions on your label and leaflet. In a medical emergency, call 999.