Enstilar Foam

Enstilar is a foam that is applied to the skin to treat psoriasis skin flare-ups. It contains a form of vitamin D (calcipotriol) and a corticosteroid (betamethasone) and comes as a 60g can of foam.

Enstilar is used to treat plaque psoriasis. It comes in a foam, and has been shown to be more effective than other forms of treatments containing the same ingredients. It can be used to treat psoriasis on the body, limbs, and scalp. If you’ve been diagnosed with plaque psoriasis, Enstilar could help you to manage your symptoms.

Psoriasis is a life-long skin condition where the body produces skin cells too quickly. When this happens, scaly, red dry patches of skin appear and these can be itchy or sore. On all skin tones the patches may appear pink or red with white or silvery scales. On darker skin, the patches can also appear purple or dark brown, and the scales may look grey.

The patches are most commonly found on the scalp, knees, elbows and back or front of the torso. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, the symptoms can be managed.

To find out more about psoriasis, visit the Boots Health Hub.

Enstilar contains two ingredients that help manage the symptoms of psoriasis. It contains a form of vitamin D (calcipotriol) which slows down the turnover of new skin cells, and a strong steroid (betamethasone) to reduce inflammation.

How you use Enstilar depends on where you need to use it. Whether you use the foam on your body or your scalp, Enstilar foam should be used no more than once a day, every day, for up to four weeks to treat flare ups. In some cases it can also be used twice weekly on alternate days as a maintenance treatment.

If you’re using Enstilar to treat psoriasis on your scalp, first shake the can thoroughly then spray a small amount into your hand. Use your fingertips to apply the foam to the affected areas of your scalp and then make sure to wash your hands afterwards. Try to leave the foam on overnight or during the day and rinse off later to give the treatment a chance to work.

If you’re using Enstilar to treat psoriasis on your body, first wash your hands before use. Shake the can thoroughly and apply the foam directly onto the skin at least 3cm away by pressing down for two seconds. Rub the foam into the affected skin. You might need to repeat this over different areas of the body if you’re treating more than one area. Make sure to wash your hands after using Enstilar.

In addition to your medicine, it’s important to apply a fragrance-free moisturiser frequently as part of your treatment. Ideally it should be applied 3-4 times a day in addition to any prescribed treatment.

You should only use Enstilar foam every day for a maximum of four weeks. This is because, over time, Enstilar foam can cause your skin to become thin and fragile. Once your symptoms start to improve, gradually reduce the amount and how often you use the foam. If you’re still struggling with your symptoms after four weeks, see your GP or other healthcare advisor for advice.

Please remember:

• Don’t wrap or tightly cover treated areas
• Don’t apply Enstilar foam to areas where the skin is broken, or on your face, under your arms or around your groin and genitals
• Don’t use Enstilar if you’ve been diagnosed with any other type of psoriasis, or erythroderma (please check with us if you’re not sure)
• Enstilar may not be right for you if you’re currently being treated with phototherapy, Ciclosporin, Methotrexate, Acitretin, or Biologics

For more information on how psoriasis treatments work, take a look at our info page: About psoriasis treatments

How much Enstilar you need to use depends on the size of the area to be treated. As a guide, spraying the can for 2 seconds produces 0.5g of foam, which should be roughly enough to treat an area the size of an adult hand.

When used as prescribed, Enstilar is an effective treatment for plaque psoriasis. Enstilar contains two active ingredients to tackle the symptoms of psoriasis, one of which is a strong steroid (betamethasone). Most people who use Enstilar to treat psoriasis will see improvement in their symptoms within two weeks.

As with any medicine, Enstilar may cause side effects. The most common side effects include itching, irritation, or discomfort where you apply the foam. Most side effects usually settle after a few days as your skin gets used to the treatment. Making sure that you apply an unfragranced moisturiser several times a day to the affected skin can also help to manage any side effects and will improve the health of your skin.

Using too much Enstilar or using it for too long can cause skin thinning. It’s recommended that you start to gradually reduce the amount and frequency that you use the foam when you start to see your skin improve. This is to prevent your skin from flaring up when you stop using it.

It can take time for psoriasis to respond to treatment, but you should notice improvement within 14 days of using Enstilar. Contact us if you don’t see any improvement after two weeks. You may need repeat treatment if you experience a flare up again in future.

For a complete list of possible side effects and precautions when using Enstilar, please read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the treatment, or click here Enstilar Patient Information Leaflet.

If you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your GP or healthcare provider for advice before using Enstilar.

Psoriasis can also be made worse by certain medicines which is why it’s important that you let us know of any other treatments or supplements that you’re taking.

People with psoriasis are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Make sure to stay in regular contact with your GP or healthcare provider so they can help monitor your condition.

There are alternative treatments available if you decide that Enstilar isn’t right for you. Some alternatives include similar or weaker steroid creams, to help manage flare-ups.

For a full list of the psoriasis treatments we offer, take a look at our Psoriasis Treatment service page.

Although psoriasis is a long-term condition, there are things that you can do to help manage your symptoms and encourage your skin to heal.

The most important things that you can do to help yourself include:

• using an fragrance-free moisturiser or emollient several times a day which helps your skin to feel more comfortable
• identifying and avoiding any triggers for flare-ups. These can include environmental triggers, alcohol or stress. Psoriasis flare-ups can also be triggered by certain medicines so it’s important that you tell us which other medicines you’re taking — whether they’re prescriptions, supplements or medicines you’ve bought without a prescription
• not smoking. Smoking has been shown to make psoriasis symptoms worse. If you need help to quit smoking, take a look at our Stop Smoking Treatment service
• avoiding scratching or itching as it can worsen symptoms

Be aware of your mental health and seek help if you're feeling low or if you need support.

Find out more about managing your psoriasis

Psoriasis is a life-long condition and can run in families. It has been shown to be caused by an overreaction of T cells in the immune system, and can be triggered by changes in the environment, injury or illness. Psoriasis can also become worse in the winter or when you’re stressed. In women, psoriasis can also be affected by pregnancy and get worse after pregnancy.

For more information on psoriasis, take a look at the Boots Health Hub

Enstilar is only available by prescription. However, there are non-steroid creams and emollients available that you can buy to help you to manage your symptoms.

Boots psoriasis treatments