Pimecrolimus 1% cream for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a highly pruritic inflammatory disorder of the skin characterized by onset in infancy or childhood and a chronically relapsing course. Mainstay treatments are emollients and topical corticosteroids, but the latter are limited by side-effects from longterm use. Pimecrolimus is an ascomycin macrolactam derivative and a calcineurin inhibitor that targets T-cell activation but does not inhibit antigen-presenting cells in the skin. In multiple clinical trials comprising more than 19,000 patients, pimecrolimus cream has been shown to be very effective in suppressing atopic dermatitis and to have an excellent safety profile. This has also been shown in long-term studies (>2 years) and by postmarketing experience.