Efficacy of 1, alpha 25-dihidroxyvitamin D (Calcitriol) in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris: an open study.

Several reports have appeared in the literature suggesting that Vitamin D metabolites and analogues may be useful for the treatment of psoriasis. This is a report of an open study in which the efficacy of 1, Alpha-25-dihydroxyvitamin D (Calcitriol) is evaluated in cases of moderate to severe psoriasis. Study of ten cases showed moderate improvement in four when using calcitriol at a daily dose of 0.5 microgram for a period of three months. All Vitamin D metabolites were within normal limits during and after the trial. Further trials with calcitriol as an adjuvant therapy to topical steroids or photochemotherapy, as well as the development of topical Vitamin D analogues may be the future of this novel therapeutic alternative for psoriasis.