Eczema Topical Creams: Tacrolimus and Pimecrolimus

For eczema, the FDA has approved two topical or cream based medications in the form of tacrolimus and pimecrolimus

Both of these medicines belong to a class of immune suppressants known as ‘calcineurin inhibitors’. In 2005, the FDA issued a warning about the use of these drugs stating that these drugs could lead to cancers in animals. In other words, doctors may probably recommend these medication only as backup medication if the eczema treatment does not work in conventional manner. These two drugs tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) have to be taken for a limited period of time and must never be taken without the doctor’s advice.