Elidel (Pimecrolimus) - Summary

ELIDEL SUMMARY

ELIDEL^® (pimecrolimus) Cream, 1%, for topical use, contains the compound pimecrolimus, the immunosuppressant 33-epi-chloro-derivative of the macrolactam ascomycin.

ELIDEL^® (pimecrolimus) Cream, 1% is indicated as second-line therapy for the short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in non-immunocompromised adults and children 2 years of age and older, who have failed to respond adequately to other topical prescription treatments, or when those treatments are not advisable.

ELIDEL Cream, 1% is not indicated for use in children less than 2 years of age [see Warnings and Precautions, Use in Specific Populations ].

See all Elidel indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Elidel (Pimecrolimus)

EU Approves Dupilumab (Dupixent) for Atopic Dermatitis
Source: Medscape Allergy & Clinical Immunology Headlines [2017.09.28]
The European Commission has granted marketing authorization to dupilumab for adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, according to a company news release.
International Approvals

Atopic Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Quiz: Test Your Skin Disorders IQ
Source: MedicineNet Atopic Dermatitis Specialty [2017.09.20]
Title: Atopic Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Quiz: Test Your Skin Disorders IQ
Category: MedicineNet Quiz
Created: 3/20/2012 12:50:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 9/20/2017 12:22:53 PM

Atopic Dermatitis
Source: MedicineNet betamethasone dipropionate Specialty [2016.12.21]
Title: Atopic Dermatitis
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 12/31/1997 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 12/21/2016 12:00:00 AM

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Source: MedicineNet tacrolimus ointment Specialty [2016.05.24]
Title: Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Category: Slideshows
Created: 3/26/2012 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/24/2016 12:00:00 AM

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Elidel (Pimecrolimus)

Pimecrolimus vs. tacrolimus for the topical treatment of unresponsive oral erosive lichen planus: a 8 week randomized double-blind controlled study. [2014]
CONCLUSION: Both medications would currently appear to be a treatment of choice

Bilateral comparison study of pimecrolimus cream 1% and a ceramide-hyaluronic acid emollient foam in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. [2011.06]
Topical corticosteroids have been the mainstay of treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD) over the last decade, especially in the setting of acute flares. However, heavy and prolonged use of topical corticosteroid is undesirable as it is associated with side effects such as, skin atrophy, telangiectasia, striae, steroid-induced dermatoses, rosacea, acne exacerbation, and in some severe and rare cases, systemic effects such as hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression, growth retardation and ocular problems.

A double-blind, randomized controlled trial of clobetasol versus pimecrolimus in patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus. [2011.06]
BACKGROUND: Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a lymphocyte-mediated chronic cutaneous disorder with a predilection for the vulva. The current gold standard treatment is topical ultrapotent corticosteroids such as clobetasol. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of clobetasol and pimecrolimus in the treatment of vulvar LS... CONCLUSION: Both clobetasol and pimecrolimus appear efficacious and well tolerated for the treatment of vulvar LS; however, clobetasol is more effective than pimecrolimus and should remain first-line therapy for LS. Copyright (c) 2010 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical and cytological effects of pimecrolimus cream 1% after resolution of active atopic dermatitis lesions by topical corticosteroids: a randomized controlled trial. [2011.02]
BACKGROUND: Topical pimecrolimus may maintain remissions of atopic dermatitis (AD) by inhibiting subclinical inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and cytological effects of pimecrolimus in topical corticosteroid-treated and resolved AD lesions... CONCLUSION: Topical pimecrolimus was effective at maintaining betamethasone-17alpha-valerate-induced AD remission by inhibiting recurrences of the inflammatory infiltrate in the skin. Copyright (c) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

A bilateral comparison study of pimecrolimus cream 1% and a topical medical device cream in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. [2011]
Corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy for atopic dermatitis, but long-term use is associated with adverse effects. We sought to evaluate the clinical efficacy of two steroid-sparing creams for atopic dermatitis... In conclusion, a lipid-rich, non-steroidal, topical medical device cream was as effective in improving atopic dermatitis as pimecrolimus cream.

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Elidel (Pimecrolimus)

Safety Study of Elidel (Pimecrolimus) 1% Cream to Treat Netherton Syndrome [Completed]
Netherton syndrome is a genetic condition that can result in abnormal skin functioning. People with this condition often have red and scaling skin; sparse or short hair; and problems with absorption of medicines or chemicals that are applied to the skin. If these chemicals are absorbed at a high level, they may cause health problems. Elidel (pimecrolimus) is a new medicine that is available as a cream. It has been shown to help improve the appearance of the skin in patients with another skin condition known as atopic dermatitis, and is approved by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration for use in children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. The purpose of this study is to determine if Elidel is safe, to see whether the medication is absorbed through the skin, and to see if side effects are associated with its use in children with Netherton syndrome.

10 Year Registry of Children (Ages 2-17 Years) With Eczema That Have Used Pimecrolimus [Recruiting]
This study will examine the risk of systemic malignancies in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis exposed to Elidel 1% cream.

Pimecrolimus Cream 1% (Elidel�) and Medicated Device Cream (EletoneTM) in the Treatment and Maintenance of Atopic Dermatitis. [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to assess a bilateral comparison between pimecrolimus cream 1% (Elidel®) and a medical device cream (EletoneTM) in the treatment and management of atopic dermatitis. Study subjects will apply pimecrolimus twice daily for four weeks on a target area located on one side of the body, and apply the medical device cream three times daily for four weeks on the opposite side of the body at a target lesion symmetric to the other.

Comparison of Pimecrolimus Cream 1% Twice-Daily to Once-Daily Dosing in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Pediatric Subjects [Completed]
This study is not being conducted in the United States. To investigate the relative efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1% applied twice daily (b. i.d.) versus once daily (o. d.) in preventing the progression to disease "relapse".

Safety and Efficacy of Pimecrolimus Cream 1% in Atopic Disease Modification [Terminated]
This study consists of a 3-year double-blind phase during which patients will receive atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment either with pimecrolimus cream 1% long-term management (LTM) or with a conventional corticosteroid-based treatment (1: 1 ratio), followed by a 2 to 3-year open-label (OL) phase (all patients receiving pimecrolimus cream 1% LTM). At the end of the double-blind phase, the two treatment groups will be compared with respect to their efficacy in controlling AD; at the end of the OL phase, the incidence of asthma at the age of 6 years will be compared.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Elidel (Pimecrolimus) Side Effects

Hodgkin's Disease (15),  Fatigue (13),  Nausea (10),  Lymphadenopathy (8),  Myalgia (8),  Neuropathy Peripheral (8),  Injury (8),  Vomiting (8),  Maternal Exposure During Pregnancy (8),  Anaemia (8), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Elidel review by 74 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Idiopathic excema
Dosage & duration:		thin film (dosage frequency: twice/day) for the period of 6 years
Other conditions:		None
Other drugs taken:		None
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Skin inflamation disappeared
Side effects:		None
Comments:		A thin film using a cotton swab applied over the region on the base of my neck. I tiried at least four other prescription and even more over the counter topical meds and none of them helped. I would prefer not to use "elidel" because there are some warnings over its use. My MD told me to use only if nothing else works, and nothing else is of any help.

Elidel review by 22 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Moderately Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Eczema
Dosage & duration:		cream form (dosage frequency: 2 times a day) for the period of 2 weeks
Other conditions:		skin allergies
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Fast acting, did not have to worry about skin thinning
Side effects:		None that I noticed
Comments:		The treatment consisted of applying the cream form of Pimecrolimus twice a day on the face for eczema treatment. The cream itself wore off very fast which limited how effective it acted. However, benefits were seen within the first week of use.

Elidel review by 36 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		atopic dernatitis
Dosage & duration:		1% cream twice daily as needed (dosage frequency: twice a day as prescribed) for the period of two weeks
Other conditions:		cold sores sometimes on the lips and under the nose
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		No benefits, only very bad side effects (see below)
Side effects:		redness, tingling, headache, skin lesions and cold sores developing in the place of application
Comments:		Once I applied it for my dermatitis (the doc. prescribed it to me because she said it was non-steroidal), there was redness and tinging on the side of the application, which I thought was a normal side affect that should go away on its own. I kept applying it diligently as prescribed. In c couple of days there was a rash on the area ( I called the doctor about it and she said to stop using it for a couple of days and then apply it , since that might have a been a normal side effect). I did what she told me to, so I reapplied the drug again in a couple of days, there was redness and irritation and then later on the following day I had a cold sore developing on the spot (the affected area where I was applying the cream was the upper lip and the noso-labial folds). Plus to everything else I had a bad a headache, which as I found later could have been the side effect of that medication. I went to another dermatologist and she said that she would have never prescribed that medication for the face especially if I have a tendency to develop cold sores because that medication serves as a immunosuppressant.