Pimecrolimus and Tacrolimus belong to a group known as topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI).
Topical calcineurin inhibitor is used to treat eczema (atopic dermatitis) by acting on the skin immune system to reduce inflammation, redness and itching of the skin.
Some examples of topical calcineurin inhibitor include Pimecrolimus and Tacrolimus.
This medication is also used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
If you forgot to apply a dose of this medication, apply it as soon as you remember. Skip the dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Apply your next dose at the usual time. Do not apply two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
Certain side effects of this medication are common and may even disappear during treatment. If any of the following side effects do not go away or are severe, consult your doctor.
The most common side effects at the site of application are warm sensation (sometimes burning), stinging or itching of the skin. This is usually mild to moderate and most common during the first few days of treatment. It usually lessens as your skin heals. You may precool this medication by refrigerating the tube for 15-20 minutes before applying to reduce the burning sensation.
Other side effects include:
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Last updated on Oct 2022
This article was last reviewed on Monday, December 07, 2020