title: Safety and efficacy of tacrolimus ointment versus pimecrolimus cream in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis previously treated with corticosteroids.
abstract: Adult and pediatric patients (n = 347) with atopic dermatitis enrolled in three multicenter, randomized, 6-week studies who had previously used steroids were analyzed to examine the null hypothesis that improvement in atopic dermatitis initiated after prior treatment with steroids eliminates any subsequent treatment differences between tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream. Of these patients, 171 were randomized to tacrolimus ointment and 176 to pimecrolimus cream. Based on improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index at the end of study, tacrolimus ointment was significantly more effective than pimecrolimus cream (p = 0.0002). Tacrolimus ointment was also significantly more effective than pimecrolimus cream at the end of study in all secondary end-points. Overall, the frequency of adverse events was comparable between treatment groups (24.0% for tacrolimus ointment vs. 25.6% for pimecrolimus cream). Tacrolimus ointment is more effective, with a similar safety profile, compared with pimecrolimus cream in patients with atopic dermatitis previously treated with topical corticosteroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1600 NW 10th Ave., RMSB, Room 2023-A, Miami, Florida, 33136, USA. rkirsner@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kirsner
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Heffernan
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Antaya
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016014:Linear Models; D009824:Ointments; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus