Elidel

Pimecrolimus is an immunosuppressant. Immunosuppressants decrease the effects of the bodyis immune system.

What is it used for?
Elidel Cream is used to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema. It should be used only for a short time.

Contraindications and cautions:
Avoid sunlight and sun lamps, tanning beds, and treatments with UVA or UVB light. If you need to be outdoors after applying Elidel, wear loose clothing that protects the treated area from the sun. Also, ask your doctor what other type of protection from the sun may be needed. Do not cover the area being treated with bandages, dressings, or wraps. However, normal clothing can be worn over the treated areas.
Do not use if:
• Your child with atopic dermatitis is younger than 2 years
• You have been told you have an immune system problem
• You have any infection on your skin including chicken pox or herpes
• You have Nethertonis Syndrome. This is a rare inherited condition where the skin is red, itchy, and covered with large coarse scales.
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless directed by your doctor.
• You are allergic to Elidel Cream or any of its ingredients

Side effects:
If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop using Elidel and seek emergency medical attention. It is not unusual to experience skin burning, stinging, itching, or soreness at the site of application of the medication. These side effects are most common during the first few days of treatment and typically improve as the lesions of atopic dermatitis heal. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to use Elidel and talk to your doctor if you experience:
• Irritation of nose and throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach
• Skin infection
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.

Interactions:
Talk to your doctor before taking another medicine that may affect the immune system such as oral or injectable tacrolimus (Prograf), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), azathioprine (Imuran), sirolimus (Rapamune), or another immunosuppressant medication. You may not be able to use Elidel, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking another medicine that affects the immune system. Although unlikely, other systemic medications (taken by mouth or injection) may interact with Elidel.

Talk to your doctor before taking any of the following medicines during treatment with Elidel:
• an antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or fluconazole (Diflucan);
• a calcium channel blocker (heart medicine) such as verapamil (Calan, Verelan), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR, Tiazac), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), or nicardipine (Cardene);
• erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., others), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or troleandomycin (TAO); or
• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB). Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Elidel.