Elidel (Pimecrolimus) for Eczema

Overview
Elidel is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the short-term treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in people ages 2 and older. Elidel may be prescribed after other treatments have proven ineffective or unsafe. Elidel is also known by its drug name, pimecrolimus.

Elidel is an immunomodulator, a drug that modifies the immune system. More specifically, Elidel is a topical calcineurin inhibitor. It is believed that Elidel works by suppressing immune system activity.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Elidel is applied topically to the affected area twice daily.

Elidel comes in the form of a cream.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Elidel lists common side effects including site burning, headache, cold and flu symptoms, cough, fever, and viral infection.

Rare but serious side effects for Elidel include increased risk for serious infections and certain types of skin cancer.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Elidel — RxList
www.rxlist.com/elidel-drug.htm

Prescription Topicals — National Eczema Association
www.nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/topicals