Pimecrolimus

Generic name: Pimecrolimus
Drug class: Miscellaneous topical agents

Usage of Pimecrolimus

Pimecrolimus is used to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema) in patients who have already been treated with other medicines that did not work well.

Pimecrolimus belongs to a class of medicines known as topical calcineurin inhibitors that decrease inflammation. It helps to suppress the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (e.g., itching, redness, or inflammation of the skin) which are caused by the body's immune system.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Pimecrolimus side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Abdominal or stomach pain

body aches or pain

burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at the application site

change in hearing

chills

cold or flu-like symptoms

congestion (ear or nasal)

cough producing mucus

diarrhea

difficulty with breathing or shortness of breath

dryness or soreness of the throat

earache or pain in the ear

ear drainage

fever

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

hoarseness

itching

joint pain

loss of appetite

loss of voice

muscle aches and pains

nausea

pain

redness

runny nose

shivering

sneezing

sweating

swelling

tenderness

tender, swollen glands in the neck

tightness in the chest

trouble with swallowing

trouble with sleeping

unusual tiredness or weakness

voice changes

vomiting

warmth on the skin

wheezing

Less common

Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin

blurred vision or other change in vision

eye pain

fast heartbeat

hives

itchy, raised, round, smooth, skin-colored bumps found on just one area of the body that are oozing, thick, white fluid

irritation

joint pain, stiffness or swelling

rash

redness of the eye

redness of the skin

sensitivity of the eyes to light

skin rash on the face, scalp, or stomach

swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet

tearing

troubled breathing or swallowing

Incidence not known

Black, tarry stools

change in size, shape, or color of existing mole

cough

dizziness

itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

large, hive-like swelling on the face

mole that leaks fluid or bleeds

new mole

small, red skin lesion, growth, or bump usually on the face, ears, neck, hands, or arms

sores that will not heal

weight loss

yellow eyes and skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas

pus at the root of the hair

Less common

Blemishes on the skin

bloody nose

burning or stinging of the skin

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

flushing; redness of skin; unusually warm skin at site

heavy bleeding

painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals

pimples

redness or swelling in the ear

vaginal pain and cramps

Incidence not known

Burning, stinging, itching, or mild discomfort of the eye (after applying the cream to the eyelids or near the eyes)

feeling of warmth (with alcohol use)

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest (with alcohol use)

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Pimecrolimus

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of pimecrolimus in children. However, the use of pimecrolimus in children younger than 2 years of age is not recommended.

Geriatric

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of pimecrolimus have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Tigecycline

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Relate drugs

How to use Pimecrolimus

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use it for any other condition without checking first with your doctor. This medicine may cause unwanted effects if it is used too much, because more of it is absorbed into the body through the skin.

This medicine comes with a medication guide and a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

Be careful not to get any of this medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth. Do not use it on skin areas that have cuts or scrapes. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.

This medicine should only be used for problems being treated by your doctor. Check with your doctor before using it for other problems, especially if you think that an infection may be present.

Do not bathe, shower, or swim right after applying this medicine. Also, the treated skin areas should not be bandaged or covered after the medicine is applied.

You may use moisturizers to lessen dryness of the affected areas of your skin. Apply the moisturizer after using this medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For topical dosage form (cream):

For atopic dermatitis:

Adults, teenagers, and children 2 years of age and above—Apply a thin layer to the affected areas of the skin two times per day.

Children younger than 2 years of age—Use is not recommended.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Warnings

It is very important that your doctor check your progress or your child's progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if this medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to use it.

If your symptoms do not improve after 6 weeks or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Using this medicine for a long time may increase your risk of having infections, lymphoma, or skin cancer. If you have questions, discuss this with your doctor.

This medicine may cause soreness, itching, stinging, or a burning sensation on your skin. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if this reaction becomes severe or persists for more than one week.

Lymph node problems may occur while using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in your neck, armpit, or groin.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also having ultraviolet (UV) light treatment or phototherapy while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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