Dovobet Gel

Dovobet Gel is a prescription-only medicine used specifically for adults to treat mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. It appears as raised, red patches of skin covered with silvery-white scales. On your body, these are called "plaques", and when they occur on your head, it's known as scalp psoriasis. This gel is specifically designed to treat both psoriasis on your scalp and plaques on other areas of your body, such as your elbows, knees, or lower back. It contains a powerful combination of two active ingredients: calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate.

Dovobet Gel is a dual-action medicine. It works by treating the two main underlying problems that cause your psoriasis plaques: Calcipotriol: This is a synthetic form of Vitamin D. In psoriasis, your skin cells are produced much too quickly, leading to the build-up of thick, scaly patches. Calcipotriol helps to slow down this excessive skin cell production and also helps these cells to mature and shed normally, reducing the scaling and thickness of the plaques. Betamethasone: This is a potent topical corticosteroid. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory medicine. It works by calming the overactive immune response in your skin, which quickly reduces the redness, swelling, and itching of your psoriasis. The combination of these two ingredients in one gel provides a very effective treatment. The steroid (betamethasone) works quickly to calm the inflammation, while the vitamin D analogue (calcipotriol) works to normalise skin cell growth. This gives you fast relief from symptoms and longer-lasting control of the condition.

It's very important to follow the correct method to get the best results and avoid side effects. 1. Apply once a day. Apply the gel to the affected areas (the psoriasis plaques on your scalp or body) once a day. Do not use it more often. 2. Apply a thin layer. Squeeze a small amount of gel onto your fingertip. A little goes a long way. Use just enough to cover the affected area with a thin, even layer. For your entire scalp, an amount between 1g and 4g (about the size of a teaspoon) is usually enough. 3. Apply it at a convenient time. Apply Dovobet Gel at a time of day when you can leave it on your skin for several hours to absorb. Avoid taking a bath, shower, or washing your hair immediately after application. 4. Wash your hands. After you have finished applying the gel, wash your hands thoroughly to remove any residue. This stops you from accidentally spreading the medicine to other areas, especially your face or eyes. 5. Use for a full course. Use the gel daily for as long as your doctor has prescribed. The standard treatment period is 4 weeks for scalp psoriasis and 8 weeks for psoriasis on other body areas.

You should apply Dovobet Gel once a day to your psoriasis plaques. The total amount you use should not exceed 15 grams per day or 100 grams per week. The standard treatment period is 4 weeks for the scalp and 8 weeks for other body areas. It's unusual to be prescribed a longer course than this. Many patients see a significant improvement after 2 weeks of use.

Yes, repeated short courses are allowed, but they must be done under medical supervision. If your psoriasis clears up and then returns several weeks or months later, you can talk to your doctor about prescribing another course. This is often a better approach than using a milder, less effective treatment for a long time.

Because Dovobet contains a potent steroid, it should never be used on certain areas of the body or for certain skin conditions. Please pay close attention to the following: Do not use it on your face or genitals. The skin on your face is very thin and sensitive. Using a potent steroid there can cause long-lasting damage, such as permanent thinning and visible blood vessels. Do not use it for infected skin. Do not use Dovobet Gel on any skin that has a viral infection (like cold sores or chickenpox), a fungal infection (like athlete's foot or ringworm), or a bacterial infection. Do not use it for other specific skin conditions. It is also not for use on skin affected by: acne, rosacea (facial redness), perioral dermatitis (red rash around the mouth), ichthyosis (dry, fish-like scales), or on skin that is already thin and prone to tearing. Do not use it for severe types of psoriasis. Dovobet is not suitable for rare and severe forms of psoriasis, such as erythrodermic psoriasis (widespread redness) or pustular psoriasis (blisters of pus). Your doctor will have already ruled these out.

Yes, this is an important practical consideration. Dovobet Gel contains ingredients that can interact with chemical hair treatments. The official advice is that you should not use the gel on your scalp for 12 hours before or 12 hours after any chemical hair treatment, such as colouring, perming, or straightening. Always plan your hair care routines around your Dovobet application to avoid unwanted colour changes or damage.

Nail psoriasis: Dovobet Gel is a topical treatment for the skin. It is not designed for or proven to be effective for treating nail psoriasis, which requires different management strategies. Facial psoriasis: As mentioned, do not use Dovobet Gel on your face due to the high risk of skin thinning. For facial psoriasis, your doctor will need to prescribe a different, much milder treatment.

Like all strong medicines, Dovobet Gel can cause side effects. However, many people use it without any problems, especially when used correctly for short courses. Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 users): Skin irritation: You may experience some itching, burning, redness, or stinging at the site where you applied the gel. This is usually mild and often settles down as your skin gets used to the medicine. Folliculitis: This is an inflammation of the hair follicles, which can look like small red bumps or a mild rash. It's not serious and usually clears up when you stop using the gel. Less common but more significant side effects (usually from overuse or use on sensitive areas): Skin thinning (atrophy): With prolonged use, the steroid component can thin the skin. This is more likely to happen if you use it on your face or skin folds, but it's a key reason why treatment courses are kept short. Stretch marks (striae): These can sometimes appear, particularly on areas like the inner thighs or armpits if treated for too long. Changes in calcium levels (very rare): Because the gel contains a vitamin D analogue, there is a theoretical risk that using too much on a very large area of body could affect your blood calcium levels. This is why the daily dose is limited. When to stop and call a doctor: If you experience a severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or difficulty breathing), stop using it and seek immediate medical help. If you suspect you have developed a skin infection on the treated area, stop using the gel and contact your doctor.