New maker of Dovonex

[NL]

Because my P is considered a pre-existing condition until September with Blue Cross (I won't even get started on that rant) I have been getting Dovonex from a prescription assistance program at our "free clinic." The clinic did the work to see which companies would give me reduced rates on my medications. Brystol-Myers came through pretty quickly offering me very reasonable rates on two tubes of Dovonex every three months. (Don't worry, I don't use that much.) My point, I just received a letter from Brystol-Myers saying that since they no longer are making Dovonex they cannot offer me reduced rates. I don't have the letter with me but it went on to say something like they will work with the new maker of Dovonex to see if I can get the prescription one more time and in the mean time I should be looking for an alternative. Anyone know anything about this? A new maker of Dovonex?

[JillyBean]

I am sorry you are having trouble getting Dovonex. That stuff is so expensive. I believe it is made by an Irish company, LEO
http://www.leo.ie/C1256B9C004FF847/adbdi/DAC4D76F95AEFCB441256DFE004E16FB?OpenDocument
Perhaps it was distributed by Bristol-M and is no longer?

I wonder why you clarified that we shouldn't worry because you don't use two tubes every three months? Is that too much? I have to use 3 giant (120g) tubes every three months and hope I'm not taking to much, but that's what it takes to cover my hands and feet one time per day. The LEO site says not to use more than 100g per week so I'm still below that.

[rockstoneUS]

I think the Dovonex licences are all owned by a private Danish company called Leo A/S or something.

The Leo factory in Ireland is the biggest pharm factory in THE WORLD...and they produce a staggering ONE MILLION tubes of derm cream per week, which is Dovonex, Dovobet and Fuciderm.

I don't think they are going to stop making it anytime soon, but a licence may have changed or something..but I think it's all manufactured in the Ireland factory...but I'm not sure.

I haven't used this stuff for a while as it gave me bad side-effects, but good luck with it if you do, look out for these side-effects even under 100g/week -

- onset of facial psoriasis
- worsening of psoriasis
- tiredness or irritability
- poor sleep or nightsweats
- personality changes
- bone or muscle weakness
- twitching in muscles/facial ticks etc.
- cloudy urine (hypercalciurea)
- kidney pain
- digestive problems or pains

Not everyone gets the side-effects, and the risk increases with the amount you use, and the spread of your plaques....i.e. low risk = elbows only....higher risk = arm, leg and body patches.

Don't use it on your face or genital area either, wash your hands after use to avoid getting it in your mouth or eyes.

Hope this helps :)

* technically speaking you should have a blood test before you use this stuff...then regular blood tests to watch for changes in your calcium metabolism (hypercalcaemia)...but not many people or doctors know that...if it does happen..you are likely to see those side-effects as described above.

[scratchydee]

This is scary news! Although I am not currently using Dovonex I have in the past and my Dr never clued me in on any of those potential side effects! Geez!

[smithgf]

This is indeed very worrying news. I went to my derm 3 months ago with moderate psoriasis including my genitals. She put me on a course of Davonex and diprosone. I had read a lot about steroid creams and specifically asked her if it would be ok to use this combination in my groin area. It has worked to in a moderate to good degree on my elbows but 2 weeks ago for the first time it has appeared on my forehead and can feel real changes to the smoothness of my skin there. Can this be a co-incidence or due to the use of Davonex? Also should I stop immediately on the groin?