Atopic dermatitis: a new treatment paradigm using pimecrolimus.
Atopic dermatitis (AD), often called eczema, is a disease characterized by intense pruritus, erythema, dry skin, and inflammation. Pimecrolimus is a novel steroid-free treatment for AD. Consistently positive results have been found with pimecrolimus treatment in infants, children/adolescents, and adults. Its safety record is excellent, and studies have found no clinically relevant drug-related systemic adverse events. In this article, we first review atopic dermatitis and conventional treatment strategies. We then discuss various aspects of pimecrolimus, including pharmacologic properties, toxicology, short- and long-term studies, and safety and adverse events. Finally, we propose a new steroid-sparing treatment strategy for AD.
Weinberg
Jeffrey M
JM
Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York, USA. jmw27@columbia.edu
Bowerman
James G
JG
Brown
Stuart M
SM
Gerstein
David
D
Kane
Kay S
KS
Selevan
James
J
Virdee
Sat
S
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus