Elidel cream is used for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.

Patient Education Monograph
Pimecrolimus (Topical) ( pim-e-KROW-li-mus)

Common Brand Name(s)
Elidel

Uses
Pimecrolimus ( pim-e-KROW-li-mus) cream is used for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. This is a skin condition where there is itching, redness and inflammation, much like an allergic reaction. Pimecrolimus helps to suppress these symptoms which are a reaction caused by the body's immune system. It can be used for short-term or long-term periodic treatment. It is often used when other types of treatment are either not working or when you cannot tolerate other types of treatment.

Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. Your doctor will want to make sure the pimecrolimus cream is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. Report any adverse reactions or side effects to your doctor or if your skin condition seems to be getting worse. Use this medicine only for the condition for which it was prescribed by your doctor. If your symptoms do not improve within six weeks or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Exposure to natural or artificial sunlight should be minimized or avoided.
* Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
* Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.
* Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some people may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
* Apply a sun block lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.
* Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

How To Use
How much medicine you take and how often you take it depends on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are taking, talk with your health care provider. This medicine may be taken any time of the day with or without food. Stop taking this medicine 72 hours before and during prolonged immobilization such as postsurgical recovery and prolonged bed rest. Avoid prolonged restriction of movement during travel because of increased blood-clotting risk.This medicine does not reduce hot flashes or flushes associated with estrogen deficiency. Hot flashes may occur upon beginning therapy. Take additional calcium and vitamin D if daily dietary intake is inadequate. Consider weight-bearing exercise and reduction of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. This medicine should not be taken if you have not gone through menopause. This medicine may cause an increased risk of blood clots, especially during the first 4 months of treatment. Read the package insert before beginning this medicine and re-read upon prescription renewal. Do not stop or change the amount of medicine you are taking unless advised to do so by your health care provider. Patients with other medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking this medicine. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements without talking with your doctor.

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 as soon as possible 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 site; change in hearing; chills; cold or flu-like symptoms; congestion, ear or nasal; cough producing mucus; diarrhea; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; dryness or soreness of throat; earache or pain in 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; sore throat; sweating; swelling; tenderness; tender, swollen glands in neck; tightness in chest, wheezing; trouble in swallowing; trouble sleeping; unusual tiredness or weakness ; voice changes; vomiting ; warmth on skin

Less common
* Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of skin ; blurred vision or other change in vision; eye pain; fast heartbeat; hives; hives or welts, itching, redness of skin; hoarseness; itching ; 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 eye; redness of skin; sensitivity of eye to light; shortness of breath ; skin rash on face, scalp, or stomach; swelling of eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet; tearing; tightness in chest; troubled breathing or swallowing; wheezing


Other 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 theses side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any question about them:

More common
* Burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, pus at root of hair ; itching skin at injection site

Less common
* Blemishes on the skin; pimples; bloody nose; burning or stinging of skin; difficulty having a bowel movement (stool); earache, redness or swelling in ear; flushing; redness of skin; unusually warm skin at site; painful cold sores or blisters on lips, nose, eyes, or genitals; vaginal pain and cramps, heavy bleeding

Precautions
Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are taking any prescription medicine, especially estrogen replacement therapy, or nonprescription medicine or dietary supplements; if you have any other medical conditions (eg, congestive heart failure, cancer)

Overdose
Contact your health care provider at once if you feel you have taken or given too much of this medicine

Notes
If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, use 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. Do not double doses.

Storage
To store this medicine:
* Store at room temperature 77 °F.
* Keep out of the reach of children.
* Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
* Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.