How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient tacrolimus, which is a type of medicine called a topical immunomodulator. It is not fully understood how tacrolimus works in the treatment of eczema (atopic dermatitis), but it has been shown to suppress inflammatory reactions in the skin. Severe eczema is thought to be partly caused by immune cells in the skin over-reacting to a stimulus, causing inflammation. Applying tacrolimus to the eczema suppresses these reactions in the skin, and improvement of the eczema is generally seen within a week of starting treatment. The ointment can be used for short-term treatment, or as intermittant long-term treatment to bring eczema under control when it flares up.

What is it used for?

Moderate to severe eczema

Moderate to severe eczema

Warning!

This preparation is for external use only.

This medicine should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area(s).

You should not cover the area being treated with airtight dressings such as bandages or other dressings, including nappies, as these will enhance the absorption of the medicine into the body and may increase the risk of adverse effects.

Wash your hands thoroughly after applying this medicine, unless the hands are the area being treated.

This medicine is not recommended for children under two years of age.

You should not receive light treatment, such as PUVA, or other UV light treatment, while using this medicine. You should also avoid using sun beds, and minimise exposure of your skin to sunlight by using sunscreens, wearing appropriate clothing to protect the skin when outside, and minimising time spent in the sun.

If your skin does not begin to improve within two weeks of treatment, or if the dermatitis becomes infected, you should consult your doctor. You should also consult your doctor if your lymph glands become swollen during treatment.

This medicine is not recommended for use in people with genetic skin defects such as Netherton's syndrome, where there may be increased absorption of the medicine into the bloodstream.

There may be an increased risk of skin infections such as severe herpes simplex infection (eczema herpeticum) in people using this medicine. If your skin becomes infected during treatment you should consult your doctor, as you may need to stop using this medicine until the infection has cleared.

Avoid contact of this medicine with the eyes, and areas of skin lining the body cavities (mucous membranes), eg inside the mouth and nose. If this medicine does accidentally come into contact with these areas it should be thoroughly wiped off and/or rinsed off with water.

The safety of this medicine has not been established in people with intense widespread reddening of the skin (erythroderma). Consult your doctor before using this medicine if you have this condition.

Use with caution in

Liver failure

Not to be used in

Allergy to macrolide type antibiotics, eg erythromycin

Atopic dermatitis which is infected

Breastfeeding

Pregnancy

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established, therefore it should not be used by pregnant women. Consult your doctor.

This medicine may pass into breast milk. For this reason it is recommended that mothers using this medicine should not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Acne

Inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis)

Facial flushing or skin irritation after drinking alcohol

Increased skin sensitivity, especially to hot and cold

Skin tingling

Herpes simplex infections such as cold sores

Burning sensation at application site

Redness, itching or irritation at application site

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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