Pimecrolimus (Topical)
Brand Names : Elidel
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of using pimecrolimus cream must be weighed against the good it
will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pimecrolimus
cream, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to pimecrolimus. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist
if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,
or dyes.
Pregnancy - Pimecrolimus cream has not been studied in pregnant
women. However, studies in animals have shown that pimecrolimus taken orally
causes other problems in animals. Before taking this medicine, make sure your
doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether pimecrolimus applied
as a topical cream passes into the breast milk, and may cause unwanted effects
in nursing babies. It may be necessary for you to take another medicine or
to stop breast-feeding during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks
and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.
Children - This medicine is not known to cause different types
of side effects or problems in children over the age of two, than it does
in adults, although some side effects may occur more often than they do in
adult patients.
Older adults - There is no specific information comparing the
use of pimecrolimus in the elderly with the use in other age groups. Pimecrolimus
is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people
than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of pimecrolimus cream. Make sure you tell your
doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Eczema herpeticum (Kaposi's varicelliform eruption), or
-
Herpes simplex virus infection or
-
Varicella zoster virus infection (chicken pox or shingles) - increases
the risk of skin infections
-
Immunocompromised patients (weakened immune system) - the safety
of these patients using pimecrolimus cream has not been established
-
Lymphadenopathy or
-
Mononucleosis, acute infectious - may cause enlargement of lymph
nodes
-
Netherton's syndrome - may cause too much of the pimecrolimus
cream to be absorbed into the body
-
Skin infections - safety of using pimecrolimus cream for some
skin infections is unknown
-
Skin papilloma or
-
Warts - may worsen condition
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