Pimecrolimus: Indication, Dosage, Side Effect, Precaution

Generic Medicine Info Patient Medicine Information

This information is not country-specific. Please refer to the Myanmar prescribing information.

Generic Medicine Info

Indications and Dosage

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.

Pregnancy Category (US FDA)

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

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

Other Dermatologicals

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.

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