Enstilar

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Enstilar.

Absorption: Applying Enstilar over large areas of damaged skin, in skin folds, or under dressings that do not breathe could promote the absorption of betamethasone into the blood. This could cause unwanted effects similar to those that happen after taking oral (by mouth) corticosteroid medications for long periods of time. If you notice symptoms of using steroid medications for long periods of time, such as weakness, increased urination, increased thirst, fatigue, or weight loss, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

High calcium in the blood: If Enstilar is used for severe psoriasis over a large area of skin or is used more than the maximum recommended weekly amount of 100 g of ointment, gel, or foam, there is a risk of developing high calcium levels in the blood. Your doctor may monitor your blood calcium levels regularly by doing blood tests while you are using Enstilar.

Kidney function: If you have decreased kidney function or Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Enstilar may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Enstilar, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: If you have decreased liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Enstilar may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Enstilar, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Medical treatment: Inform all health professionals involved in your care that you have been using a topical (skin-applied) corticosteroid.

Prolonged use: Using topical corticosteroid medications for a long period of time can cause skin to thin or soften or cause stretch marks. Your doctor may recommend you stop using Enstilar once in a while or to apply to one area of the body at a time. Suddenly stopping corticosteroid medication may cause psoriasis to return.

Skin Cancer: When calcipotriol is used with ultraviolet radiation (some psoriasis treatments use light therapy), there may be an increased risk of developing skin cancer caused by ultraviolet radiation. Calcipotriol alone does not cause cancer. While using Enstilar, avoid exposure to sunlight and artificial ultraviolet light (e.g., tanning beds).

Use on the face: Enstilar should not be used on any part of the face since this may cause redness, irritation, and itchiness. If any of these skin reactions develop, you should stop using Enstilar and contact your doctor immediately. Wash your hands thoroughly after applying Enstilar to the affected areas and avoid touching any part of your face with your hands.

Using other corticosteroids: Betamethasone dipropionate is a potent corticosteroid and should not be used at the same time as other corticosteroid medications, particularly on the scalp. If you have been prescribed another scalp product containing corticosteroids, contact your doctor to determine which product you should be using.

Pregnancy: Enstilar should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while using Enstilar, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Betamethasone passes into breast milk. It is not known if calcipotriol passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using Enstilar, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Enstilar have not been established for children.