Protopic Immunosuppressant Medication For Atopic Dermatitis
Uses Of Protopic Immunosuppressant Medication For Atopic Dermatitis
Protopic is an immunosuppressant used topically to treat itching and swelling associated with a certain skin condition (atopic dermatitis). Protopic Ointment, both 0.03% and 0.1% for adults, and only 0.03% for children aged 2 to 15 years, is indicated as second-line therapy for the short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in non-immunocompromised adults and children who have failed to respond adequately to other topical prescription treatments for atopic dermatitis, or when those treatments are not advisable. Atopic eczema is a skin condition where the body reacts to things in the environment, which would normally do it no harm. This means that the immune system is fighting things such as the house-dust mite and pollen allergens, which in turn causes the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed. Protopic Ointment acts on the cells in the body and the skin to dampen down the immune system. This will help to reduce inflammation and make the skin less itchy and red.
There have now been a number of trials using Protopic Ointmen to treat atopic eczema; it has been compared to placebo and to 1% hydrocortisone (a very weak topical steroid available over the counter) and the results look very good when compared against these. More recently it has been compared to hydrocortisone butyrate, which is a potent topical steroid. The results of this study suggest tacrolimus is as effective at treating atopic eczema as hydrocortisone butyrate. Even though Protopic Ointmen is being developed for those whom conventional treatment hasn't worked, none of the trials to date has tested Protopic Ointmen with this particular group of people.
The skin begins to improve in about the first week of using the ointment, with an improvement in itching and redness, and this continues whilst treatment carries on. It is important to understand that topical Protopic Ointmen is not a cure for atopic eczema; it is a new way of controlling the eruption of atopic eczema.
Protopic Ointment is not indicated for children younger than 2 years of age.
How To Use Protopic Immunosuppressant Medication For Atopic Dermatitis
Wash your hands before and after applying Protopic Immunosuppressant. Apply a thin layer of medication to the affected area of skin twice daily or as directed by your doctor. Rub the medication into the skin gently and completely. Protopic Immunosuppressant is for use on the skin only. When applying Protopic Immunosuppressant after a shower or bath, make sure your skin is completely dry. Do not bathe, shower, or swim immediately after applying the medication. This could wash it off of the treated area. It is very important to continue using Protopic Immunosuppressant for at least 7 days after your condition starts to improve. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not cover the treated area with plastic or waterproof bandages unless directed to do so by your doctor. Only the weakest strength product should be used in children 2 to 15 years old. Use of Protopic Immunosuppressant in children less than 2 years of age is not recommended.
Side Effects Of Protopic Immunosuppressant Medication For Atopic Dermatitis
Skin burning, itching, or redness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: acne, headache, unusual fatigue, nasal congestion. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: upset stomach, appearance of any skin infections or sores (e.g., chicken pox, shingles, lip sores, tumors, or warts). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: muscle pain, swollen glands (especially in the neck, under the arms, or in the groin area). In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, breathing trouble. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions When Using Protopic Immunosuppressant Medication For Atopic Dermatitis
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: any skin infections, viral infections (e.g., herpes, mononucleosis), cancer, allergies (especially drug allergies). Protopic Immunosuppressant may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, use a sunscreen, and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Protopic Immunosuppressant should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Protopic Immunosuppressant passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions With Protopic Immunosuppressant Medication For Atopic Dermatitis
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially of: other skin products, cimetidine, macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin), St John's wort, azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir, ritonavir), calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Overdose Of Protopic Immunosuppressant Medication For Atopic Dermatitis
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. Symptoms of overdose may include tremor, diarrhea, blurred vision, dizziness, and nausea.
Notes On Protopic Immunosuppressant Medication For Atopic Dermatitis
Do not share Protopic Immunosuppressant with others.
Missed Dose Of Protopic Immunosuppressant Medication For Atopic Dermatitis
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage Of Protopic Immunosuppressant Medication For Atopic Dermatitis
Store at room temperature between 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), with brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) permitted away from light and moisture.
Protopic as a treatment for eczema is excellent - Lindsay, Bristol, UK
Protopic works excellently for me. For 6 months my eczema had been growing worse and was really getting me down and stressed out, and generally affecting my life in a big way. When I was prescribed Protopic I was dubious about using it because of the unknown long-term effects, but I was also desperate to have a normal face again. My eczema cleared up within two days on my face, arms and hand. I could not believe it. I did get a spotty sort of rash for one to two days which I think was a side effect but it soon went away. I am finding, though, that I have to keep using it. I don't know if anyone else is having to do this? I am quite worried about the long-term effects of Protopic... but as a treatment for eczema, well it's just been excellent for me.
Protopic is my first choice - Darrell, Menlo Park, USA
I am 42 and I've had eczema for 40 years. I recently got prescribed protopic for the first time and was confounded by the fact that it was in ointment form. I told the pharmacist this must be a mistake, since this prescription was for my face and there's no way I'm putting ointment on my face. He told me I would have to contact my doctor, so I did, but to my dismay the doctor's nurse assistant told me it only comes in ointment form. This seemed absurd to me and unconvinced I later google'd "protopic cream", the first result I clicked on took me to this site and Cheryl's story, she also lives in the bay area, and this coincidence as well as her inspiring story led me to click on her contact link. Her genuinely positive response encouraged me to try it out. I've never contacted anyone like this on the web before and was surprised how motivating it is, consequently I applied protopic with unusual rigor, I say unusual because I have had eczema for 40 years and don't give much hope to any treatments, eczema comes and goes, ups, downs, yada, yada, yada. Of course protopic surpassed my expectations and I'm elated, it worked as quickly as a steroid, but without the scabbiness and scaring, sorry for the grossness, but for me, as quick as a steroid is, it's hard to just let the steroid do it's thing without trying to hasten it or make the healing less unsightly, resulting in even more scaring. So protopic's seemingly invisible healing is definitely an advantage. Not sure how effective it will be long term, but the next flare up I get, protopic will be my first choice to extinguish it. As for the risks, it's a no brainer, I want quality of life now please.
Protopic controls my outbreaks - Jeanne, USA
After living in a basement apartment, I came down with a horrible case of eczema from head to toe that just wouldn't go away (even though I moved), people would make comments and it was painful for me to shower and sometimes to even walk/move around. In a nutshell, for years the eczema made me feel awful and depressed. I tried Protopic once over the summer and stopped after a week because it burned so bad. After trying everything under the sun including diets, acupuncture, Eladil (which didn't help me much), I finally tried Protopic again. Thank goodness. It had been my godsend. I am finally eczema free throughout most of my body . I use it whenever I start to flare up and it quickly controls my outbreak. Nothing compares. The burn calmed down over time and even though my skin is still slightly sensitive to heat after applying Protopic, it beats the itch, cuts, bleeding, etc anyday. My roommate from that apartment also came down with eczema and protopic is also the only thing that controls it. (November 2004)
Protopic cleared my skin - Chris, Manchester, UK
Having suffered from Seb D for the past ten years, I had tried most steroid and topical creams to reduce the itchy, flaking red skin only on my nose, cheeks and eyebrows. Nothing really worked for any length of time, until I was put onto Protopic in May 2004 by my dermatologist. Within 3 days I was my skin was clear, no more redness or sores! Wow! I use it once a day now and have not had a attack in two months.