Elidel

Elidel

Generic Name: pimecrolimus topical (pih meh KRA lih muss TOP ik al)

Brand Names: Elidel

What is Elidel?

Elidel is a cream containing pimecrolimus, an immunosuppressant. It works by decreasing your body's immune system to help slow down the growth of atopic dermatitis (eczema) on your skin.

Elidel is used to treat severe atopic dermatitis when other medications have not worked well.

Elidel may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

Important information about Elidel

Do not use Elidel on a child 2 years of age or younger.

A small number of people have developed skin cancer after using tacrolimus (Protopic) skin medications. However, it is not known if either of these medicines causes skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk.

Use this medication only on the skin, exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Elidel is not for long-term use.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Avoid sunlight, sun lamps, tanning beds, and phototherapy treatments with UVA or UVB light. If you must be outdoors, wear loose clothing over the skin areas treated with Elidel. Do not use sunscreen on treated skin unless your doctor has told you to.

Talk to your doctor if your skin condition does not improve after using Elidel for 6 weeks.

If you miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

There may be other drugs or skin products that can affect Elidel. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

Before using Elidel

Before using Elidel, tell your doctor if you have:

skin cancer or a skin infection (including herpes or chicken pox);

Netherton's syndrome (a genetic skin disorder);

a weak immune system (from cancer treatments, HIV/AIDS or certain medicines such as steroids);

kidney disease; or

swelling, redness, or irritation of large areas of your skin.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Elidel or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Elidel can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to get sick from a virus such as chicken pox or herpes (cold sores or shingles). Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to any illness.

FDA pregnancy category C: This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Elidel without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Elidel passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

A small number of people have developed skin cancer after using pimecrolimus or tacrolimus (Protopic) skin medications. However, it is not known if either of these medicines causes skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk.

How should I use Elidel?

Use this medication only on the skin, exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Elidel is not for long-term use.

Do not use Elidel on a child 2 years of age or younger.

Stop using the medicine once your symptoms have cleared up, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Wash your hands before and after using Elidel, unless you are using the medication to treat a hand condition.

Apply the medicine only to clean, dry skin. Use the smallest amount needed to apply a thin layer to the skin areas diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. Rub in gently. Do not cover the treated skin with a bandage.

Do not bathe, shower, or swim right after applying Elidel. Water may wash off the medicine.

Right after applying Elidel, you may need to rub in a moisturizing cream or lotion to keep your skin from getting too dry. Ask your doctor about which cream or lotion to use.

Talk to your doctor if your skin condition does not improve after using Elidel for 6 weeks.

Store Elidel at room temperature. Do not freeze. Keep the cap on the cream tube when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Elidel is not expected to cause overdose symptoms.

What should I avoid while using Elidel?

Avoid using any other skin product that has not been recommended by your doctor.

Avoid sunlight, sun lamps, tanning beds, and phototherapy treatments with UVA or UVB light. If you must be outdoors, wear loose clothing over the skin areas treated with Elidel. Do not use sunscreen on treated skin unless your doctor has told you to. Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol while you are using Elidel may cause your skin or face to feel hot and become flushed or red.

Elidel side effects

Stop using Elidel and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Elidel and call your doctor if you have:

worsened skin symptoms;

signs of a skin infection (redness, swelling, itching, oozing);

swollen glands; or

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue using Elidel and talk with your doctor if you have any of these side effects:

burning, stinging, tingling, or soreness of treated skin (especially during the first few days of treatment);

swollen hair follicles;

acne or warts;

upset stomach;

muscle pain;

runny or stuffy nose;

headache; or

feeling more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Elidel side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Elidel?

Before using Elidel, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

cimetidine (Tagamet).

erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S. and others);

an antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or fluconazole (Diflucan); or

a heart medicine such as verapamil (Calan, Verelan), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR, Tiazac), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), or nicardipine (Cardene).

There may be other drugs or skin products that can affect Elidel. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Elidel resources

Elidel Side Effects (in More Detail)

Elidel Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Elidel Drug Interactions

Elidel Support Group

4 Reviews for Elidel - Add your own review/rating

Elidel Prescribing Information (FDA)

Elidel Monograph (AHFS DI)

Elidel Topical Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Elidel MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Elidel with other medications

Atopic Dermatitis

Eczema

Perioral Dermatitis

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about Elidel written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Pimecrolimus topical is available with a prescription under the brand name Elidel. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Elidel 1% cream