Taclonex (Calcipotriene/Betamethasone Dipropionate) for Plaque Psoriasis

Taclonex (calcipotriene/betamethasone dipropionate) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat plaque psoriasis in people ages 12 years and older.

How Taclonex Works and How It’s Taken

Taclonex is a prescription medicine used on the skin. It contains two medicines:

Calcipotriene, a form of vitamin D
Betamethasone dipropionate, a corticosteroid

It changes skin cell activity and lowers inflammation, but the exact way it treats plaque psoriasis on the scalp and body is not fully known.

Doctors prescribe Taclonex to treat plaque psoriasis in people ages 12 years and older.

Taclonex comes in two forms:

Ointment — Apply it to affected skin once a day for up to four weeks.
Topical suspension — Apply it to affected areas of the scalp and body once a day for up to eight weeks. Shake the bottle before each use.

Treatment should be stopped when the psoriasis is under control.

Wash your hands after applying Taclonex. Do not use it on your face, groin, underarms, or areas where the skin is thinning. Do not get it in your eyes, mouth, or vagina. If it gets on your face or in your eyes, rinse the area with water right away.

Do not bandage or tightly cover treated skin unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

After using the topical suspension, do not bathe, shower, or wash your hair right away. Do not apply it to your scalp during the 12 hours before or after a chemical hair treatment.

Use Taclonex only for the amount of time prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Typical Dosing for Plaque Psoriasis

The dosing schedule depends on the form used:

Ointment — Once a day for up to four weeks
Topical suspension — Once a day for up to eight weeks

People ages 12 to 17 should not use more than 60 grams per week. Adults should not use more than 100 grams per week.

When using the ointment, treating more than 30 percent of the body surface area is not recommended.

This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Taclonex Side Effects

In clinical studies, the most common side effects of Taclonex occurred in about 1 percent to 4 percent of people. Side effects may differ depending on which form you use.

Common side effects of Taclonex ointment include:

Pruritus (itching)
A scaly rash

Common side effects of Taclonex topical suspension include:

Folliculitis (inflamed or infected hair follicles that can look like small bumps)
Skin irritation (such as stinging or burning)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Taclonex can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria — High calcium levels in blood and urine can occur.
Adrenal gland suppression — Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression can reduce your body’s natural steroid hormones.
Cushing’s syndrome and high blood sugar — Cushing’s and hyperglycemia can occur from steroid effects in the body upon prolonged use.
Allergic contact dermatitis — A skin allergy that can cause a rash or failure of the skin to heal can occur.
Serious eye problems — Eye problems can include cataracts, glaucoma, or increased pressure in the eye, which can cause vision changes with Taclonex topical suspension.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

What To Know Before Taking Taclonex

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to calcipotriene, betamethasone dipropionate, or any ingredient in Taclonex.

Before starting Taclonex ointment or topical suspension, tell your doctor about all your health conditions, including if you:

Have a skin infection
Have a condition that affects calcium levels
Have thinning skin where you plan to apply the medicine
Have erythrodermic, exfoliative, or pustular psoriasis
Are receiving phototherapy or other light treatment for psoriasis

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Be sure to mention other corticosteroid medicines and skin products that contain corticosteroids or calcipotriene. Using more than one corticosteroid product may increase the risk of side effects.

People using Taclonex ointment on exposed skin should avoid too much natural or artificial sunlight. This includes sunlamps and tanning beds. Use sunscreen when sunlight cannot be avoided.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Taclonex topical suspension may increase the chance of having a low-birth-weight baby. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, use it on the smallest skin area and for the shortest time possible. Do not apply it directly to the nipple or areola while breastfeeding.

For Taclonex ointment, talk with your doctor about the possible risks and benefits during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Taclonex ointment for plaque psoriasis?

In the main adult study, 48 percent of people using Taclonex ointment once daily had absent or very mild plaque psoriasis after four weeks. This compared with 7.6 percent of people using the vehicle alone.

How effective is Taclonex topical suspension for plaque psoriasis?

In two adult scalp psoriasis studies, 70 percent and 67.2 percent of people using Taclonex topical suspension once daily had clear or almost clear disease after eight weeks. In one study, 19.8 percent of people using the vehicle alone had the same result.

In an adult body psoriasis study, 29 percent of people using Taclonex topical suspension had clear or almost clear disease after eight weeks, compared with 6.3 percent using the vehicle alone. At week 4, 13.3 percent of people using Taclonex topical suspension had clear or almost clear disease.

How long does Taclonex take to work for plaque psoriasis?

Taclonex ointment is used once daily for up to four weeks. Taclonex topical suspension is used once daily for up to eight weeks.

The clinical studies do not say exactly how soon a person will notice improvement. Results can vary, and treatment should stop when the psoriasis is under control, unless a healthcare provider gives different instructions.