Two medicines, side by side
Calcipotriene vs clobetasol
Calcipotriene and clobetasol are both labeled for psoriasis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of calcipotriene since 1993 and of clobetasol since 1985. Pharmacies paid $1.05 per gram (Calcipotriene 0.005% cream) and $0.126 per gram (Clobetasol 0.05% ointment) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, calcipotriene is a vitamin d analog and clobetasol a corticosteroid.
Check it at the source: the calcipotriene FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 2020); the clobetasol FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 21, 2026).
Highlights of the calcipotriene record
Calcipotriene (Dovonex) · label of August 7, 2020
Used for
From the label: indicationsCalcipotriene Ointment, 0.005%, is indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults. The safety and effectiveness of topical calcipotriene in dermatoses other than psoriasis have not been established.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1993
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.05 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the clobetasol record
Clobetasol (Temovate) · label of April 21, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClobetasol Propionate Topical Solution, 0.05% is indicated for short-term topical treatment of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of moderate to severe corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses of the scalp. Treatment beyond 2 consecutive weeks is not recommended, and the total dosage should not exceed 50 mL/week because of the potential for the drug to suppress the HPA axis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 27, 1985
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.126 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 18
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Calcipotriene label of August 7, 2020, Clobetasol label of April 21, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do calcipotriene and clobetasol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, calcipotriene is a vitamin d analog and clobetasol a corticosteroid.
Generics: calcipotriene since 2008; clobetasol since 1994 (Drugs@FDA).
| Calcipotriene | Clobetasol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Psoriasis | Psoriasis, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Vitamin D Analog | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1993 | December 27, 1985 |
| First generic approved | May 6, 2008 | February 16, 1994 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 39 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.05 per gram (Calcipotriene 0.005% cream) | $0.126 per gram (Clobetasol 0.05% ointment) |
| 12-month price change | -15% | -23% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 18 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 3,502 | 10,472 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to calcipotriene
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions