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Elidel
Elidel is a topical prescription skin cream used to treat mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema) in adults and children as young as two years old. There is only one standard dosage for this medicine, which calls for a small amount of the cream applied to the affected areas twice daily. Side effects are possible and may include headaches, coughing, and burning at the application site.
Elidel® (pimecrolimus) is a prescription medication approved to treat mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (commonly referred to as eczema) in certain people who have not adequately responded to other treatments or cannot use other treatments. It comes in the form of a cream that is applied directly to the skin. Elidel can be used in adults and children as young as two years old.
(Click Elidel Uses for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)
Elidel is made by Novartis Pharma Produktions GmbH for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Corp.
Atopic dermatitis is thought to occur when the immune system has an overactive response to a trigger, leading to symptoms such as redness, a rash, and itching. Elidel is an "immunosuppressant" medication, which means it reduces the activity of the immune system. By making the immune system less active, Elidel can relieve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
In clinical studies, Elidel has been shown to improve symptoms of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis in children and adults. In these studies, 35 percent of people using Elidel were clear or almost clear of symptoms after six weeks of treatment, compared to 18 percent of people using a cream that did not contain any active ingredients (a placebo cream). In addition, 57 percent of the Elidel group had mild to no itching after six weeks, compared to 34 percent of the placebo group.
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD