Elidel

Drug name: Elidel

Active Ingredients: pimecrolimus

Therapeutic actions: Elidel cream contains pimecrolimus as the active ingridient, it is a group of drugs called - skin-selective inflammatory cytokine inhibitors. Elidel is used to decrease skin inflammation if an eczema occurs.

Pimecrolimus blocks the production of cytokines(inflammatory chemicals) when absorbed into the skin. Cytokines are produced in the skin by white blood cells as a part of the organism's response to irritation or allergy, and are a part of events which make skin become inflamed - red, swollen and itchy.

Indications: Elidel cream is used in treatment of early signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis, also called Eczema. Elidel is used to treat repeated episodes of eczema. The treatment should start as soon as the first symptoms appear, to prevent the illness from progressing to a more severe state which may require use of steroid creams.

Contraindications and cautions: Do not use Elidel cream if you ever had an allergy to pimecrolimus. The allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, swelling of the lips and face, tongue or other parts of the body; wheezing or difficulty breathing; itching, rash, or hives on the skin.

• Do not use Elidel cream if you are having phototherapy to treat your condition.
• Tell your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions:
• you have had skin cancers or pre-cancerous changes in your skin that may develop in cancer
• Impaired immune system (such as if you are ill with HIV, Diabetes or cancer)
• Netherton syndrome
• you have skin infection
• Generalised erythroderma
• you have swelling of the lymph nodes
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Do not use Elidel cream:

• On mucous surface like inside your nose or mouth. Elidel cream should not be swallowed or applied to eyes.
• on skin areas which are affected by viral infections.
• Avoid exposing treated with Elidel areas to ultraviolet rays: sunlight, tanning beds, sun lamps etc.
• If you had a vaccination, do not apply the cream to the site of vaccination until the symptoms of it disappear.
• on your breasts while you are breast-feeding.
• Do not cover the treated area with tight bandages, wrappers, etc. Normal clothing can be worn.

Adverse effects: There are possible side-effects associated with this medicine that can affect individuals in different ways. If a side effect is stated here, that does not necessarily mean the fact that all people using Elidel cream will experience it or any other.

• Burning at application site
• Worsening of symptoms
• Redness, itching or irritation
• Skin flushing, rash, burning, itching or swelling after drinking alcohol.
• Folliculitis
• Boils (furuncles)
• Impetigo, herpes zoster, herpes simplex, molluscum contagiosum, warts, eczema herpeticum
• Rash, pain, pins and needles, swelling, dryness, or shedding of surface skin at application site

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with Elidel cream, please read the information provided with Elidel or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with Elidel. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe. Especially Elidel cream should not be used with: corticosteroid creams or ointments, anti-inflammatory skin medicine, azathioprine, ciclosporin, vaccines can become less effective. Use of Elidel on widespread areas should additionally be consulted with your health care provider.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE Elidel Cream with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.