Pimecrolimus versus topical corticosteroids in dermatology.
Pimecrolimus is an ascomycin macrolactam derivative with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity that belongs to the class of calcineurin inhibitors. It was developed after the attempt to discover alternatives to corticosteroids for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Although pimecrolimus has been only approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, many clinical reports have proved its efficacy in a variety of skin conditions. However, corticosteroids remain the treatment of choice in inflammatory skin diseases. The possibility that pimecrolimus deserves a greater role in the long-term treatment of skin diseases is discussed herein by reviewing the published clinical studies that compare pimecrolimus and corticosteroids.
University of Athens, Department of Dermatology, A. Sygros' Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Chrysovalantis
C
Korfitis
Stamatis
S
Gregoriou
Efstathios
E
Rallis
Dimitris
D
Rigopoulos
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003880:Dermatology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004348:Drug Labeling; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus