Pimecrolimus, Topical

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: topical anti-infective

Generic and brand names: pimecrolimus, topical; Elidel

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is applied to the skin to treat mild to moderate eczema (a skin condition) in people over 2 years of age.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to tacrolimus (Prograf, Protopic)
• AIDS or HIV
• warts.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while using this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your health care provider. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than directed. Using too much may increase the risk of side effects. Ask your health care provider about anything you do not understand.

Before you use this medicine, wash your skin with mild soap and warm water. Rinse and pat dry with a towel.

Put a thin layer of medicine on the area where you need it. Rub it in gently and completely. Do not use a tight bandage or cover the area unless your health care provider tells you to. Use this medicine for as long as your health care provider prescribes.

This medicine is for external use only on the skin.

Keep this medicine away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you get this medicine into your eyes, flush them with plenty of cool water.

Wash your hands thoroughly after handling this medicine.

What should I watch out for?

Contact your health care provider if your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse.

Do not put this medicine on infected skin. Contact your health care provider if you develop an infection.

This medicine may cause a mild feeling of warmth or burning on your skin. Call your health care provider if the burning is severe or if it lasts longer than a week.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your health care provider right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Skin infection, worsening of your skin condition.

Other: Upper respiratory tract infection, headache, cough, fever, headache, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, feeling of burning on the skin, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these medicines together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), nicardipine (Cardene), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiamate, Tiazac), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• erythromycin (Erythrocin, EES, E-Mycin, EryPed, EryTab).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, supplements, natural remedies, vitamins, nonprescription) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.