Prescription Required 
Formulation : 
Description
Indications
This medication is indicated for the treatment of psoriasis and combines two pharmacological agents. It effectively mitigates the symptoms associated with this condition, including skin redness, thickening, and scaling. By promoting healthier skin, the medication reduces the risk of infection and provides a protective barrier against environmental factors.
Betamethasone, a potent corticosteroid, acts by diminishing inflammation, redness, and itching. Calcipotriene, a derivative of vitamin D, functions by slowing down the excessive growth of skin cells, preventing the accumulation of thickened and scaly patches of skin.
Uses and Dosage
This medication is intended for topical use on the skin only. Follow your doctor’s instructions and apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) once daily. Gently and thoroughly rub the medication into the skin.
After application, remember to wash your hands unless you are specifically treating the hands. Avoid contact with the eyes or mouth, and if accidental contact occurs, rinse immediately with water. Refrain from applying this product to the face, underarms, or groin area. Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, do not exceed a treatment duration of 4 weeks for the ointment or foam (or 8 weeks for the cream).
For the ointment, note that due to the heightened risk of side effects, adults should not use more than 100 grams of the ointment per week unless specifically instructed and closely monitored by a healthcare professional. Similarly, children and teenagers should not exceed 60 grams of the ointment per week.
If you are using the foam formulation, shake the can prior to use and ensure not to exceed 60 grams of the foam every 4 days.
For the cream, the maximum recommended weekly amount is 100 grams.
Avoid bandaging, wrapping, or covering the treated area unless specifically instructed by your doctor. Refrain from applying this medication to large areas of damaged skin or using it in skin folds.
Do not exceed the prescribed amount, frequency, or duration of use, as doing so may increase the systemic absorption of the medication, thereby elevating the risk of adverse effects.
Notify your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens. It may take up to a week to observe any improvement, while the full benefits of this medication may require several weeks of consistent use.
Side Effects
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention:
- burning, dryness, irritation, peeling, or redness of skin
- increased sensitivity to sunlight
- itching
- acne or oily skin
Inform your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any serious side effects:
- burning and itching of skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
- changes in hair growth
- delayed healing of skin wounds
- dizziness
- eye irritation
- facial swelling
- flushing
- folliculitis (tiny skin rashes with pimply appearance around the hair roots)
- headache
- outer ear infection
- sinus infections
- skin infection
- skin rash
- small white spots
Caution
Prior to using this product, inform your doctor or pharmacist about any known allergies to betamethasone or calcipotriene, as well as any other allergies you may have. Inactive ingredients present in the product can potentially trigger allergic reactions or other complications.
Before initiating treatment with this medication, disclose your medical history to your doctor or pharmacist, particularly if you have a specific mineral imbalance characterized by high calcium blood levels or if you have thin skin in the areas to be treated.
If you have a skin infection or any skin reaction unrelated to psoriasis, such as bacterial skin infection, chickenpox, or herpes simplex, it must be addressed and treated before initiating this medication. Betamethasone and other corticosteroid drugs may impede the body’s response to antibiotic drugs, making it more challenging to clear an infection.
This medication may heighten your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Limit your sun exposure, avoid tanning booths and sunlamps, and take precautions such as applying sunscreen and wearing protective clothing when outdoors. Promptly notify your doctor if you experience sunburn or develop skin blisters/redness. Your doctor may advise you to limit or avoid phototherapy while using this product. Seek further guidance from your doctor for specific details.
In rare cases, the prolonged or extensive use of corticosteroid medications on the skin can impede the body’s response to physical stress. Prior to undergoing surgery, emergency treatment, or in the event of a serious illness/injury, inform your doctor or dentist about your use of this medication or if you have used it within the past few months.
Although unlikely, long-term use of this medication may temporarily slow down a child’s growth. Regular check-ups with the doctor are important to monitor your child’s height.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only if absolutely necessary, after a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is unknown whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding to make an informed decision.
Form and Strength
Enstilar Foam is available in the following forms and strengths:
-
Enstilar Foam foam:
- 50mcg/0.5mg
FAQ
Is Enstilar a strong steroid?
Enstilar contains a potent group III-steroid and concurrent treatment with other steroids on the same treatment area must be avoided.
How long does it take for Enstilar to work?
It may take a week to see any improvement and several weeks to see the full benefit of this medication.
Resources
- https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/2139/smpc#gref
- https://www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/enstilar#adverseeffects
- https://reference.medscape.com/drug/taclonex-enstilar-calcipotriene-betamethasone-999451
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-170792/enstilar-topical/details
- https://www.drugs.com/enstilar.html
