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Article

December 1, 2007

TCIs can come to rescue for AD 'hot spots,' maintenance

With concerns of side-effects from long-term use of topical steroids for atopic dermatitis, topical calcineurin inhibitors including tacrolimus (Protopic, Astellas) and pimecrolimus (Elidel, Novartis) can provide an excellent alternative, offering distinct advantages for long-term therapy over steroids and hitting many of the marks that comprise AD, said Lawrence F. Eichenfield, M.D. An FDA-required black box label warning indicates TCIs only for second-line treatment, but in this manner, TCIs can be particularly beneficial for acute management of flares of eczematous dermatitis; for treatment of "hot spots," and as a maintenance therapy for patients with frequently recurring eczema Dr. Eichenfield explained.