title: Tacrolimus ointment in the management of atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, highly pruritic inflammatory skin disease. AD long-term treatment is usually required to control and prevent flares, and patients need a treatment that is safe and efficacious when applied continuously or intermittently over a prolonged period of time. The treatment options should be chosen according to age, clinical features and severity of the disease in every single patient. For the treatment of a chronic disease like AD, sustained tolerability and efficacy of the applied medications are essential. A topical immunomodulator, tacrolimus ointment, provides an alternative to topical corticosteroids without the associated adverse events. Tacrolimus is a macrolide lactone with unique immunomodulatory properties and strong anti-inflammatory activities and can be used without increasing the risk of infection or other non-application site adverse events, and without loss of effectiveness, in patients with AD.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: Antonello
authors: A
authors: Baldo
authors: Mariana
authors: M
authors: Cafiero
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Di Caterino
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: Di Costanzo