Protopic (Tacrolimus) for Eczema

Overview
Protopic 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. Protopic is approved for use at two strengths in people 16 and older, and only at the lower strength in children aged 2 to 15 years. Protopic may be prescribed after other treatments have proven ineffective or unsafe. Protopic is also known by its drug name, tacrolimus.

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

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

Protopic comes in the form of an ointment.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Protopic lists common side effects including skin burning, fever, flu-like symptoms, allergic reactions, rash, headache, and skin infection.

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

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Protopic — LEO Pharma
www.protopic.com

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