Dovonex Ointment Discontinuation

[henrywb]

I just discovered that I can no longer get Dovonex ointment in the USA. Apparently in the UK it is being manufactured in generic form by Sandoz. Does anybody know what is happening in the US.

I love Dovonex ointment. I have used it for over twenty years and it keeps me going and off of steroids.

[SuzanneT]

When was this? I just refilled a prescription last month!

[Cheri P]

I also got a refill recently, and the pharmacist didn't say anything. I use it periodically to get off of steroids for a while. What's up?

Cheri

[ouchyk]

Dovonex ointment has been discontinued and is primarily being replaced by Taclonex, a two-compound ointment— containing calcipotriene (Dovonex) and a steroid. However, Dovonex cream and Dovonex shampoo is still available. Warner Chilcott is recommending that doctors use the following approach to treat psoriasis without calcipotriene ointment (Dovonex).

A panel of leading dermatologists* was convened to discuss approaches to treating psoriasis without calcipotriene ointment. They agreed upon the following recommendations:

1. For patients currently using calcipotriene ointment plus a corticosteroid, the 2-compound ointment may be used.

2. For new patients who are candidates for topical treatment, consider the 2-compound ointment as first-line therapy.

3. For patients who must avoid a steroid, calcipotriene cream remains a treatment option.

[Ironchef]

I was just offered the creme version (just calcipotriene) and the ointment I used to use. Maybe it's discontinued but still in circulation? i use the .005%.

[RichJ]

hi henrywb,
sorry i can't help much but welcome to the p family. you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you.

have a good day all

richard

[theskinyouarein]

Hopefully with some questions and knowledge (from previous post) you will still be able to get the dovonex you need! My son uses dovonex, but we have plenty here, so its been 2+ months since we've tried to refill. Your post makes me wonder if we'll have trouble when it's time. Pls let us know if you're able to get it...thanks & good luck.

[Wayne Indiana]

I believe this autoimmunity disorder will never have a cure but will be better managed. Over my history with P, beginning in 1966, I have seen all of the treatments come and go and new ones developed. Genetics is the key. Gene splicing is decades away at best. The multiple genetic markers which are related to P is increasing every couple of years. We P sufferers need to recognize that the drugs used are not cures but a step in managability. P and PA, along with other autoimmunity consequences, can be systemic. Therefore a holistic approach is the best. Meaning Physicians, Lifestyle, behaviour, mental and emotional issues should be addressed. The entire person with P. The single flare or two is not as important as the lifetime approach to health in body and mind.

P.S. Doctors in this country generally suck with incurable. Their ignorance, predjudice, and arrogance blinds them to managability and the fact that they are impotent to cure some diseases.

[lioya]

I've been on Olux plus Dovonex for a few years now, and it's given me great clearing. The discontinuation of Dovonex ointment is a disappointment, because my doc and I tried the Taclonex, but I had a very bad worsening that took weeks of Olux + Dovonex to resolve.The sad part is that I was initially on the cream, and switching to the oinment seemed to improve the P. Hopefully I won't have an issue getting the cream again.

[Ironchef]

Originally Posted by Wayne Indiana

P.S. Doctors in this country generally suck with incurable. Their ignorance, predjudice, and arrogance blinds them to managability and the fact that they are impotent to cure some diseases.

Cute! So we should believe you based on what exactly? Or should we just let this go as yet another igonorant, prejudiced, and arrogant rant?

We're simple folks doing simple things with our complex conditions.

[deemah]

I just refilled my prescription for Dovonex today, and was told that the ointment has been discontinued by the manufacturer. I almost cried. I used the cream more than 10 years ago, and it didn't work as well as the ointment does for me. <sigh> I will have to talk with my dermatologist to find out what he recommends now.

[sergecosta]

I think Wayne Indiana is making a very valid point. I read what he had to say very carefully.

[Ironchef]

Originally Posted by sergecosta

I think Wayne Indiana is making a very valid point. I read what he had to say very carefully.

Sure it was valid (the general remarks), just venomous..particularly the unqualified post script remarks. He's just one to express himself with plenty of passion and eloquence, even if it goes over the line (see some other posts he writes and you'll see what i mean).

I suppose I'll just go back to ignoring things I disagree with. This isn't "that kind of board" as much as i'd like it to be, and I think as much as he'd like it to be.

[sergecosta]

IronChef/Wayne Indiana--

Like Wayne Indiana, I believe that a "cure" for psoriasis will involve a genetic approach. However, I do think that as medications get better, the search for a cure will increasingly become moot.

I know some of us do not like to criticize the medical establishment. And I don't for the most part. However, I just read a book, "How Doctors Think," which is written by a doctor who is at once a critic of and cheerleader for medical practitioners. As a social science researcher, I can tell you that asking the right questions is always my primary concern. As a layperson when it comes to the medical practice, just like most of us here, I have questions (I suppose criticisms) as to how specialists in this field prioritize their work. For one, departments are notoriously territorial about their research. I think intercollaboration of departments and initiatives should be maximized with the aim of providing relief as quickly as possible to generations of psoriasis sufferers. Two, I have difficulty with the idea that while traditional doctors will tell you that stress can be a factor in psoriasis, many of them put all their faith in medication. Non-traditional approaches like diet modification and mind-body techniques are not exactly topics that traditional doctors talk about. Yet, we are told that stress exacerbates psoriasis and antigens (triggers) are apparently behind the psoriatic process. I have seen the best dermatologists, I think, and all of them are more willing to experiment with medication. In other words, the cause does not matter as much as reducing the effect of it. I understand that we need to relieve people in the meantime, but I think that a good division of labor between institutions, scientists, and even the government should make sure that the CAUSE side is adequately addressed. The drugs that are coming out are terrific, to be sure. But as a layperson, I find it very difficult to trace the progress in psoriasis research. I hear very little about new findings, new discoveries; but certainly a whole of information about new drugs. That imbalance worries me.

[sergecosta]

Ironchef--

True, it's better to stay away from ad hominem attacks. We all do it; I've done it.

The criticisms of the medical establishment are something I do take seriously. I admire the work of great doctors; there are true heroes out there. But if you read How Doctors Think (which is on a couple of best seller lists) and probably in the new arrival sections of BN or Borders, you will see that some of that criticism comes from within the establishment itself. And probably likely exists elsewhere in other professional fields. This is more serious because lives are on the line.

The bottom line of the book: Don't be quick to have answers; listen to your patients; be perceptive, recognize your limitations; empathy.

[mcordy77]

Discontinued? That is sad. It was the only topical that did NOT contain steroids that could really help p. My understanding is that it is now combined with a steroid and called Talconex. At one point in the past, my derm said there was too much thinning of the skin (from topical steroids) and to just stick with the Dovenex.
I find it sad that option is being taken away. Does anyone know why?

[RichJ]

Originally Posted by deemah

I just refilled my prescription for Dovonex today, and was told that the ointment has been discontinued by the manufacturer. I almost cried. I used the cream more than 10 years ago, and it didn't work as well as the ointment does for me. <sigh> I will have to talk with my dermatologist to find out what he recommends now.

hi deemah,
welcome to the p family. you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you.

have a good night all

richard

[Flannel]

I got apparently the last tube of Dovonex available in our fair city yesterday. The pharmacists told they couldn't get it from the mfgr. Didn't say it was discontinued. I was told I could get my Rx changed to the creme. Truly a shame that they have discontinued this product. My derm said that Taclonex contained a potent steroid and she was against it. Guess I will give her a call Monday and find out if she knows about this and get a rx for the creme.

[henrywb]

I saw my dermatologist today and he was no help on this matter though he is wonderful otherwise. Dovonex ointment is discontinued and they do want you to use Talconex. I have the cream, but it is not the same at all. I'll get by, but I'm annoyed.

I'm also annoyed with the Psoriasis Foundation. I wrote them a month or two ago about the ridiculously high price of Dovonex and suggested that they advocate to have it reduced. After all it ought to be a generic by now. I has been on the market long enough. This move to Talconex is one of the ways to keep it from going generic.

I had loved the plain ointment. I combine it with UVB light therapy which I have at home, and for the most part I do fine. The cream doesn't do well at penetrating and protecting.

Griping Henry

[steve-b]

Originally Posted by henrywb

I'm also annoyed with the Psoriasis Foundation. I wrote them a month or two ago about the ridiculously high price of Dovonex and suggested that they advocate to have it reduced. After all it ought to be a generic by now. I has been on the market long enough. This move to Talconex is one of the ways to keep it from going generic.

Taclonex is a combination of Betamethasone and Dovonex, they work really well together but I found that the betamethasone loses it's effectiveness easily.

Betamethasone is generic, I think it was called Diprolene before it went off-patent. Betamethasone (diprolene) is cheaper now than it was 15 years ago when I started using it, so if there was any fairness the price of Taclonex should cost less than Dovonex.

[ouchyk]

Hi Henry,

I don't blame you for being annoyed...Just when you find something that is working and the rug is pulled from underneath you....* sigh *

Talconex offered a coupon for some $$ off. It was I think 35.00? Can't quite remember. I know it was a drop in the bucket as the medication is really, really expensive....

If you've read the new bill that is out there, you will see the NPF is very much indeed advocating for affordable medications for all. Please see section 104.

http://www.psoriasis.org/advocacy/

I wonder if you could get samples of talconex? anyone tried??


Karen

[dlruss]

Okay.. So Dovonex goes the way of the Dodo.... But wouldn't that just help facilitate someone to market a generic?

So if Leo quits making it, I think it won't belong before someone else swoops in with it's equal replacement... I don't really know what I'm talking about here but I believe a product has to be on the market for a certain number of years before it's open-game for the companies that make the generics... My gut tells me that it's been on the market long enough (or almost long enough)...

[steve-b]

Originally Posted by dlruss

So if Leo quits making it, I think it won't belong before someone else swoops in with it's equal replacement... I don't really know what I'm talking about here but I believe a product has to be on the market for a certain number of years before it's open-game for the companies that make the generics... My gut tells me that it's been on the market long enough (or almost long enough)...

I found the patent expiration date for Dovonex. Dec 29, 2007. Maybe Taclonex was a marketing move to differentiate itself from the generic versions of Dovonex that will come out at the end of the year.

I got that patent info off of www.uspto.gov The United States Patent and Trademark Office website.

[ouchyk]

Hummmmmmm....not sure julio. sounds plausible.

Ya know ambien was going to go generic ( regular stuff ) and they came out with ambiencr..( continued release ) cause now all of a sudden ambien doesn't work so well keeping people asleep?... I take regular ole ambien and it works just fine, I've been on it for 9 months straight, it's generic now, 4.25 for 30, far cry from the 35.00 co-pay and 150.00 if you don't have insurance.

SO perhaps your correct in thinking that someone else is going to pick it up? I hope so anyway...

Karen

[dlruss]

Originally Posted by steve-b

I found the patent expiration date for Dovonex. Dec 29, 2007. Maybe Taclonex was a marketing move to differentiate itself from the generic versions of Dovonex that will come out at the end of the year.

Ahh.. And get people to make the switch now and keep the market. Genius!