Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2003;41:33-36; doi:10.1136/dtb.2003.41533
Copyright © 2003 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation

Pimecrolimus cream for atopic dermatitis

Relevant BNF section: 13.5.3

Pimecrolimus (pronounced pi-me-kro-ly-mus) cream (Elidel - Novartis) is a new topical immunosuppressant licensed for the treatment of patients aged 2 years or over with mild or moderate atopic dermatitis. It is the second topical treatment in this class, the first being tacrolimus ointment (Protopic - Fujisawa) which we reviewed in October 2002.¹ Pimecrolimus is the first such treatment to be licensed for first-line use in atopic dermatitis. It can be used either as short-term treatment for actively inflamed lesions, or as intermittent long-term treatment to prevent the progression of early symptoms and signs to flares.² The company claims that "when used at the first sign of redness and itch" pimecrolimus cream is "the only treatment clinically proven to prevent progression to flare", and that many people using it have "eliminated or reduced steroid use". Here, we consider the place of pimecrolimus cream in the management of atopic dermatitis.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S Conroy NEW PRODUCTS FOR ECZEMA Arch. Dis. Child. Ed. Pract., June 1, 2004; 89(1): ep23 - ep26. [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Williams 1% Pimecrolimus Cream for Atopic Dermatitis--Reply Arch Dermatol, October 1, 2003; 139(10): 1370 - 1371. [Full Text] [PDF]