Indications/Uses
Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.
|
Dosage/Direction for Use
Adult : Topical/Cutaneous As 1% cream: Apply thinly onto affected area bid until signs and symptoms resolve. Discontinue treatment if no improvement after 6 wk.
|
Dosage Details
Topical/Cutaneous
Atopic dermatitis Adult: Mild to moderate: As 1% cream: Apply thinly onto affected area bid until signs and symptoms resolve. Discontinue treatment if no improvement after 6 wk.
Child: ≥2 yr: Same as adult dose. |
Contraindications
Immunocompromised patients.
|
Special Precautions
Patient w/ malignant or pre-malignant skin conditions (e.g. cutaneous T-cell lymphoma), severe atopic dermatitis, generalised erythroderma, skin disease which may increase systemic absorption (e.g. Netherton’s Syndrome). Pregnancy and lactation.
|
Adverse Reactions
Significant: Application site reactions (e.g. burning, stinging, soreness, pruritus, erythema, folliculitis), viral and bacterial skin infections (e.g. varicella zoster virus infection, herpes simplex virus infection), lymphadenopathy, skin papilloma. Rarely, malignancy (e.g. skin cancer and lymphoma).
Nervous: Headache. Resp: Nasopharyngitis, upper resp tract infection, cough, bronchitis, rhinitis. Dermatologic: Impetigo, urticaria. Immunologic: Influenza. Others: Fever. |
Topical: C
|
Patient Counseling Information
Avoid unnecessary exposure to sun and UV light during treatment. Avoid use of occlusive dressing or wrappings.
|
Action
Description: Pimecrolimus, a macrolactam derivative of ascomycin, is an immunosuppressant. It inhibits calcineurin thereby blocking the activation and proliferation of T-cells and prevents the release of inflammatory cytokines and mediators from mast cells.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Time to peak plasma concentration: 2-6 hr. Distribution: Plasma protein binding: 99.5%, mainly to lipoproteins. Metabolism: Metabolised in the liver by CYP 3A4 enzyme. Excretion: Via faeces (78.4%, as metabolites; <1%, as unchanged drug); urine (2.5%, as metabolites). |
Chemical Structure
![]() Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database. Pimecrolimus, CID=6509979, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Elidel (accessed on Jan. 22, 2020) |
Storage
Store at 25°C. Avoid contact w/ skin or mucous membranes by wearing gloves and protective equipment. Wash hands before and after handling.
|
MIMS Class
|
ATC Classification
D11AH02 - pimecrolimus ; Belongs to the class of agents for atopic dermatitis, excluding corticosteroids. Used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
|
References
Anon. Pimecrolimus. Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 16/11/2017. Buckingham R (ed). Pimecrolimus. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 16/11/2017. Elidel Cream (Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 16/11/2017. Joint Formulary Committee. Pimecrolimus. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 16/11/2017. McEvoy GK, Snow EK, Miller J et al (eds). Pimecrolimus (Topical). AHFS Drug Information (AHFS DI) [online]. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 16/11/2017.
|