Pimecrolimus

Registered South African indications:

• Atopic dermatitis

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Should not be applied to potentially malignant or pre-malignant skin lesions, as the long-term effect on the local skin immune response and on the incidence of skin malignancies is unknown

Cautions

• Elderly
• Prolonged use
• Active cutaneous infections
• Varicella zoster virus
• Herpes simplex virus
• Eczema herpeticum
• Netherton's syndrome
• Generalised erythroderma
• Immunocompromised patients
• Acute infectious mononucleosis
• Sunlight exposure
• Occlusive dressings
• Severely inflamed and damaged skin
• Use on eyes, mucous membranes and vaccination sites

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: cre

Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis - treatment and prophylaxis

• Topical (cre): Apply small quantity to affected area, 12hrly

Re-evaluate after 6 weeks

May be used on all skin areas, including the head and face, neck and intertrigous areas, excluding mucous membranes

Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: cre

Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis - treatment and prophylaxis

Younger than 2

• Not established for use 

Older than 2 years

• See adult dosage

Pregnancy

• Contraindicated

Breastfeeding

• Contraindicated

Renal Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Elderly

• Caution; no information available

Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

• Alcohol intolerance

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Papilloma
• Application site reaction
• Skin infections
• Skin discolouration
• Furuncle
• Papilloma
• Molluscum contagiosum

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Lymphadenopathy
• Anaphylactic reactions
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Malignancies

Ultraviolet light

None routine

Pimecrolimus is an anti-inflammatory ascomycin macrolactam derivative and a selective inhibitor of the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators in T cells and mast cells.

Cream (per g) 10mg

• Elidel (Mylan) originator