Adult Dosing
Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
- Apply 1% to affected area bid
Notes:- Discontinue the treatment if itch, rash and redness occur
- Avoid using occlusive dressings
- Reevaluate and confirm diagnosis if disease persists beyond 6 weeks
- For short-term and intermittent use only and should not be used continuously
Pediatric Dosing
Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
- >2 yrs
- Apply 1% to affected area bid
Notes:- Discontinue the treatment if itch, rash and redness occur
- Avoid using occlusive dressings
- Reevaluate and confirm diagnosis if disease persist beyond 6 weeks
- For short-term and intermittent use only and should not be used continuously
[Outline]
- Rare cases of skin malignancy and lymphoma have been reported in patients treated with pimecrolimus
- If signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis do not improve within 6 weeks, physician should re-examine and confirm diagnosis of patient
- Avoid use of pimecrolimus on malignant and pre-malignant skin conditions, Netherton’s Syndrome, or other skin diseases where there is potential for increased systemic absorption of this drug
- Therapy may cause local symptoms such as skin burning (burning sensation, stinging, soreness) or pruritus, these symptoms are common during the first few days of application, then improve as the lesions of atopic dermatitis resolve
- Bacterial or viral infections at treatment sites should be resolved before starting treatment with pimecrolimus
- Therapy may be associated with an increased risk of varicella zoster virus infection, herpes simplex virus infection, or eczema herpeticum
- Skin papilloma (warts) has been reported with the use of pimecrolimus; if there is worsening of skin papillomas that do not respond to conventional therapy, consider discontinuation of pimecrolimus until complete resolution of the warts is achieved
- Lymphadenopathy has been reported with the use of pimecrolimus; etiology of lymphadenopathy should be investigated in patients receiving this therapy
- Minimize or avoid natural or artificial sunlight exposure during the course of treatment and even while pimecrolimus is not on the skin
- Pimecrolimus is contraindicated in immunocompromised adults and children
Caution: Use cautiously in
- Generalized erythoderma
- VZV infection
- HSV infection
- Eczema herpeticum
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: Safety unknown. Pimecrolimus [Topical] has not been studied during breastfeeding; however, it has been used topically in children as young as 3 months of age. Because it is poorly absorbed after topical application and plasma concentrations after topical use in adults are less than 2 mcg/L, it is a low risk to the nursing infant. Avoid applying to the nipple area and direct contact of the infant with the areas of skin that have been treated. Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed on 11 May 2011). Manufacturer advises due to potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from pimecrolimus, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or drug taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Elidel 1 % CREA [Tube] (VALEANT)
100 % = $460.01
200 % = $896.01 - Elidel 1 % CREA [Tube] (VALEANT)
60 % = $280.25
180 % = $809.49 - Elidel 1 % CREA [Tube] (VALEANT)
30 % = $139.99
90 % = $399.96
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.
