home > drugs a-z list > taclonex scalp (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) drug center > taclonex scalp (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) drug - medication guide and patient information

Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension)
(pronounced TAK-lo-NEKS skalp)
(calcipotriene, 0.005% and betamethasone dipropionate, 0.064%) Topical Suspension

Read the Patient Information that comes with Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension before you start using it and each time you refill your prescription. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your condition or treatment.

Important information: Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension is for use on the scalp only (topical use only). Do not use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension on the face, under arms or on groin area. Do not swallow Taclonex Scalp® Topical Suspension. Another product, Taclonex® Ointment contains the same medicine that is in Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension and is used to treat psoriasis vulgaris of the skin. If you use both medicines to treat your psoriasis vulgaris, be sure to follow your doctor's directions carefully so that you do not use too much of one or both of these medicines.

What is Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension?

Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension is a prescription medicine that is for use on the scalp only (a topical medicine). Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension is used to treat psoriasis vulgaris in adults 18 years of age and older. Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension is not recommended for use in children. Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension has not been studied in patients under the age of 18.

Who should not use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension?

Do not use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension if you:

•   have a calcium metabolism disorder
•   have one of the following types of psoriasis: o erythrodermic psoriasis
  • exfoliative psoriasis
  • pustular psoriasis
•   have severe kidney or liver disease.

What should I tell my doctor before using Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension?

Tell your doctor about all of your health conditions, including if you:

•     have a skin infection on your scalp. Your skin infection should be treated before you start using Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension
•     have thin-skin (atrophy) at the site to be treated. You should not use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension
•     are getting phototherapy treatments (light therapy) for your psoriasis
•     are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension can harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor will have to decide if Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension is right for you while pregnant
•     are breastfeeding. It is not known if Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension passes into your milk and can harm your baby.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription, and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension and some other medicines may interact with each other. Especially tell your doctor if you use:

•     other corticosteroid medicines
•     other medicines for your psoriasis.

How should I use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension?

•     Use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
•     Do not use more than the maximum recommended weekly amount of 100 grams of Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension.
•     Apply Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension to affected areas on the scalp once daily for 2 weeks or until cleared. Treatment may be continued for up to 8 weeks. Do not use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension for more than 8 weeks unless prescribed by your doctor.
•     Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension should only be used on the scalp. Do not use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension on the face, under arms or on groin area. If you accidentally get Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension on your face or in your eyes wash the area with water right away.
•     If you forget to use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension, use it as soon as you remember. Then go on as before.
•     Wash your hands well after using Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension.
•     Do not wash your hair right after applying Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension. The medicine will not work as well to treat your psoriasis.

Using Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension:

•     Do not bandage or tightly cover or wrap the treated skin area.
•     Do not apply Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension in the 12 hours before or after any chemical treatments to your hair. Since hair treatments may involve strong chemicals, talk with your doctor first.
•     Shake the bottle before use.

Remove the cap and apply Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension one time each day to the areas of your scalp affected by psoriasis, using the following steps (See the figures below).

Washing your hair before application of Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension is not necessary.

What should I avoid while using Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension?

Avoid spending a long time in sunlight. Avoid tanning booths and sun lamps. Use sunscreen and wear a hat if you have to be in sunlight. Talk to your doctor if you get a sunburn.

What are the possible side effects of Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension?

Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension may cause serious side effects. Serious side effects are more likely to happen if you use too much Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension, use it for too long, or use it with other topical medicines that contain corticosteroids, calcipotriene, or certain other ingredients. Check with your health care professional before using other topical medicines. Taclonex Scalp® Topical Suspension can pass through your skin and be absorbed into the body.

Serious side effects may include:

•      too much calcium in your blood
•      adrenal gland problems

Your doctor may do special blood and urine tests to check your calcium levels and adrenal gland function while you are using Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension. Other side effects include:

•      itching
•      inflamed hair pores (folliculitis)
•      skin pain or irritation
•     skin burning
•     redness of the skin
•     worsening of psoriasis

Call your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all of the side effects with Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should I store Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension?

•     Store Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension between 68-77°F (20-25°C). Do not refrigerate.
•     Keep the bottle in the carton when not in use.
•     Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension has an expiration date (exp.) marked on the bottom of the bottle. Do not use the topical suspension after this date.
•     Use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension within three months after it has been opened. After three months, safely throw away the bottle with any leftover Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension. If you need to keep using Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension or begin using it again, use a new bottle.
•     Keep Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give your Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. This leaflet summarizes the most important information about Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension that is written for health professionals. For more information, please visit www.warnerchilcott.com or call 1-800-521-8813.

What are the ingredients in Taclonex Scalp® (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension) Topical Suspension?

Active ingredients: calcipotriene hydrate, betamethasone dipropionate.

Inactive ingredients: hydrogenated castor oil, PPG-15 stearyl ether and mineral oil.

Last reviewed on RxList: 6/18/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.