Pimecrolimus Topical

Conditions Treated

Pimecrolimus is used to control the symptoms of eczema (atopic dermatitis; a skin disease that causes the skin to be dry and itchy and to sometimes develop red, scaly rashes). Pimecrolimus is only used to treat patients who cannot use other medications for eczema, or whose symptoms were not controlled by other medications. Pimecrolimus is in a class of medications called topical calcineurin inhibitors. It works by stopping the immune system from producing substances that may cause eczema.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Pimecrolimus may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• burning, warmth, stinging, soreness, or redness in the areas where you applied pimecrolimus (call your doctor if this lasts more than 1 week)
• warts, bumps, or other growths on skin
• eye irritation
• headache
• cough
• red, stuffy or runny nose
• nosebleed
• diarrhea
• painful menstrual periods

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• sore or red throat
• fever
• flu-like symptoms
• ear pain, discharge, and other signs of infection
• hives
• new or worsening rash
• itching
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• crusting, oozing, blistering or other signs of skin infection
• cold sores
• chicken pox or other blisters
• swollen glands in the neck

Pimecrolimus may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Pimecrolimus comes as a cream to apply to the skin. It is usually applied twice a day for up to 6 weeks at a time. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Apply pimecrolimus cream exactly as directed. Do not apply more or less of it or apply it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Pimecrolimus cream is only for use on the skin. Be careful not to get pimecrolimus cream in your eyes or mouth. If you get pimecrolimus cream in your eyes, rinse them with cold water. If you swallow pimecrolimus cream, call your doctor. To use the cream, follow these steps:

Wash your hands with soap and water.

Be sure that the skin in the affected area is dry.

Apply a thin layer of pimecrolimus cream to all affected areas of your skin. You can apply pimecrolimus to all affected skin surfaces including your head, face, and neck.

Rub the cream into your skin gently and completely.

Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any leftover pimecrolimus cream. Do not wash your hands if you are treating them with pimecrolimus cream.

You may cover the treated areas with normal clothing, but do not use any bandages, dressings, or wraps.

Be careful not to wash the cream from affected areas of your skin. Do not swim, shower, or bathe immediately after applying pimecrolimus cream. Ask your doctor if you should apply more pimecrolimus cream after you swim, shower, or bathe.

After you apply pimecrolimus cream and allow time for it be completely absorbed into your skin, you may apply moisturizers, sunscreen, or makeup to the affected area. Ask your doctor about the specific products you plan to use.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before using pimecrolimus cream, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pimecrolimus or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), and ritonavir (Norvir); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); metronidazole (Flagyl); nefazodone; oral contraceptives (birth control pills); other ointments, creams, or lotions; troleandomycin (TAO); and zafirlukast (Accolate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had Netherton's syndrome (an inherited condition that causes the skin to be red, itchy, and scaly), redness and peeling of most of your skin, any other skin disease, or any type of skin infection, especially chicken pox, shingles (a skin infection in people who have had chicken pox in the past), herpes (cold sores), or eczema herpeticum (viral infection that causes fluid filled blisters to form on the skin of people who have eczema). Also tell your doctor if your eczema rash has turned crusty or blistered or if you think that your eczema rash is infected. ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol during your treatment with pimecrolimus cream. Your face may become flushed or red or feel hot if you drink alcohol during your treatment. avoid exposure to chicken pox, shingles and other viruses. If you are exposed to one of these viruses while using pimecrolimus, call your doctor immediately. you should know that good skin care and moisturizers may help relieve the dry skin caused by eczema. Talk to your doctor about the moisturizers you should use, and always apply them after applying pimecrolimus cream.