Eczema Files: Protopic

Dear Cautious Customers,

As you may know, those suffering from chronic eczema experience perpetual pain, discomfort and embarrassment. For many years, to ease the pain and lessen the discomfort corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, have be prescribed as a cream or an ointment to reduce and eliminate body rash.

In recent years, the first non-steroid prescriptions drugs have become available for those suffering from Chronic Eczema. In 2000, the Food and Drug Administration approved a Topical Immunomodulator (TIM) by the name of Protopic (Tacrolimus). 

This drug is marketed as being a non-steroid ointment. The advantages are that these drugs alter the functions of the immune system related to the skin's inflammatory response without suppressing the entire immune system. Corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, triamcinolone and prednisone, may lead to skin thinning, discoloration and adrenal gland suppression.

Topical Immunomodulators appeared to be the panacea for Eczema-sufferers!

Until 1995, when the FDA issued a "Black Box Warning" for atopical immunomodulators. It takes at least 10 years to conduct studies connecting a particular drug to cancer. The truth is, no one knows what the long term effects of Topical Immunomodulators are. 

If your doctor prescribes Protopic or Elidel... use it for short periods of time. And, keep an eye out for recent scientific findings pertaining to TIMs.

Love,

Lhea J.