title: Pimecrolimus cream in repigmentation of vitiligo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitiligo is a chronic disease that mostly affects children and young adults. Nowadays many treatment options are available; however, most of them have limited efficacy and in most cases would result in undesirable complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the extent of repigmentation according to the location of the lesions after applying topical cream pimecrolimus 1% in vitiligo patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty consecutive patients with vitiligo lesions affecting less than 20% of body surface area without any previous history of spontaneous repigmentation were treated with pimecrolimus cream 1% twice daily for 12 weeks. The extent of repigmentation in vitiligo lesions was determined in each patient after 6 and 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Moderate to excellent response (repigmentation >26%) was observed in 6.6 and 25.9% of vitiligo lesions 6 and 12 weeks after treatment, respectively. More responsive lesions were located on the trunk, face and elbow (85.7, 75 and 70%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pimecrolimus cream 1% results in repigmentation in vitiligo in different extents according to the location of the lesion; however, to clearly prove its efficacy as monotherapy or in combination with other available treatment options, double-blind placebo-controlled studies are essential.
authors: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. hassan_seirafi@yahoo.com
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Seirafi
authors: Farshad
authors: F
authors: Farnaghi
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Firooz
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Vasheghani-Farahani
authors: Najmeh-Sadaat
authors: NS
authors: Alirezaie
authors: Yahya
authors: Y
authors: Dowlati
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D009824:Ointments; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus