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Prescription medication · Vitamin D / Corticosteroid Combination

calcipotriene/betamethasone

Also sold as Enstilar, Taclonex. This ointment treats plaque psoriasis.

Data updated 2026-05-15

2,282
FDA reports
$21.19
Brand price (NADAC)

calcipotriene/betamethasone (Enstilar) is a prescription Vitamin D / Corticosteroid Combination. This ointment treats plaque psoriasis.

Calcipotriene and Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment is a medicine that combines a vitamin D-like drug and a steroid. It is used on the skin to treat plaque psoriasis.

Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$21.19/unit

Generic Available

No

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

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What it does

This ointment treats plaque psoriasis.

Common side effects

Itching, Scaly rash, Headache

Key warnings

This medicine can cause high calcium levels in your blood and urine.

The sections below are summarized in plain English from calcipotriene/betamethasone's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.

How It Works

This medicine has two active ingredients. Calcipotriene is similar to vitamin D and slows down skin cell growth. Betamethasone is a steroid that reduces swelling and itching.

How to Take It

Apply a thin layer of this ointment to the affected skin once a day for up to 4 weeks. Gently rub the ointment in completely. Wash your hands after you put the medicine on. Stop using it when your psoriasis is under control.

This is a plain-language summary of calcipotriene/betamethasone's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine may increase the risk of low birth weight in infants if a large amount is used during pregnancy. Use it on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest time needed.

This is a plain-language summary of calcipotriene/betamethasone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.

Missed Dose

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

This is a plain-language summary of calcipotriene/betamethasone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.

Storage

Store this medicine at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 2,282 FDA adverse event reports.

Most-reported reactions

Adverse reactions in FAERS for calcipotriene/betamethasone, by number of reports

reports

What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.

Source FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)

Serious Warnings

This medicine can cause high calcium levels in your blood and urine. If this happens, stop using the medicine until your calcium levels are normal. This medicine can also affect your adrenal glands, which can cause them to not make enough steroid hormones. Long-term use may increase the risk of cataracts and glaucoma.

Common Questions

How much ointment can I use each week?
Adults should not use more than 100 grams per week. Patients ages 12 to 17 years should not use more than 60 grams per week.
Can I cover the treated area with a bandage?
Do not use with occlusive dressings (airtight bandages) unless your doctor tells you to.
Where should I avoid using this ointment?
Avoid using it on your face, groin, or armpits, or if the skin is thin in the treatment area.
Is this medicine safe to swallow?
No, this medicine is not for oral use.
Can I use this in my eyes?
No, this medicine is not for ophthalmic (eye) use.
Can I use this medicine inside my vagina?
No, this medicine is not for intravaginal use.
What should I do if I experience vision problems?
If you have visual symptoms, see an eye doctor.
What if the medicine doesn't seem to be working?
Contact your doctor if the medicine does not seem to be working.
Can I use this on more than 30% of my body?
Treatment of more than 30% of your body surface area is not recommended.
What should I do if I accidentally use too much?
Contact your doctor if you accidentally use too much of this medicine.
What are the common side effects of calcipotriene/betamethasone?
The most commonly reported side effects of calcipotriene/betamethasone include Itching, Scaly rash, Headache, Stuffy or runny nose, Psoriasis. Based on 2,282 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
What drug class is calcipotriene/betamethasone?
calcipotriene/betamethasone belongs to the Vitamin D / Corticosteroid Combination drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). This ointment treats plaque psoriasis.
Is calcipotriene/betamethasone safe during pregnancy?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine may increase the risk of low birth weight in infants if a large amount is used during pregnancy. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in Vitamin D / Corticosteroid Combination

Other drugs grouped near calcipotriene/betamethasone - same-class peers and common alternatives.

adapalene

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apremilast

Otezla

Apremilast (Otezla/Otezla XR) is a medicine that can help adults and children manage psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.

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azelaic acid

Finacea, Azelex

Azelaic acid gel is a topical medicine that helps treat rosacea.

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benzoyl peroxide

Benzac, PanOxyl

Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medicine that fights germs on your skin.

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betamethasone

Diprosone, Luxiq

Betamethasone dipropionate cream is a strong steroid medicine used on the skin.

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What the FDA Data Shows for calcipotriene/betamethasone

The FDA label for calcipotriene/betamethasone (sold under brand names such as Enstilar, Taclonex) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Vitamin D / Corticosteroid Combination class. This ointment treats plaque psoriasis. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Itching, Scaly rash, Headache.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 2,282 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS.

Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: December 7, 2023

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.

All federal data sources used on this page