Eczema Care - Elidel

What is Elidel Cream?

Elidel Cream is a skin-selective, steroid free, anti-inflammatory specifically developed for the skin. Elidel Cream is clinically proven to prevent progression to flares. A flare is when atopic eczema suddenly gets worse after being fine for a while. The active ingredient is pimecrolimus which is not a steroid. Pimecrolimus is derived from ascomycin, a natural substance produced by a type of fungus.

What can Elidel Cream be used for?

Elidel Cream is indicated for the short-term treatment of mild to moderate eczema and intermittent long-term treatment, to prevent progression to flare. Elidel Cream has been proven to significantly reduce the need for topical steroids. In clinical studies, it has been proven to be effective in treating atopic eczema in adults, adolescents and children. Elidel Cream was found to be particularly effective in the treatment of delicate skin areas such as the face, neck and skin folds.

How does Elidel Cream work?

The cause of atopic eczema is not clear but when people with atopic eczema are exposed to an irritant or allergen to which they are sensitive, inflammation-producing cells come into the skin. These cells release chemicals that cause redness and itching. Further damage occurs when the person scratches and rubs the affected areas. Many people's atopic eczema does not improve when they avoid the irritant or allergen and flares occur. Pimecrolimus has been developed specifically to treat and manage inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic eczema. It acts on the cells in the skin that cause the inflammation, redness and itching.

How is Elidel Cream different from medications currently available for atopic eczema?

Management of atopic eczema typically consists of emollients (moisturisers) to hydrate the skin. Topical corticosteroids are currently recommended for the reactive treatment of an eczema flare. Topical corticosteroids are non-selective in their activity in the skin and are associated with a risk of local and systemic side-effects. In a survey of atopic eczema sufferers, 72.5% of people admitted to being worried about using topical corticosteroids on their own or their child's skin.

Used intermittently at the first signs of redness and itch, Elidel Cream is clinically proven to prevent progression to flare when emollients alone are no longer adequate and prior to the use of topical corticosteroids.

How should Elidel Cream be used?

Elidel Cream should be used at the first sign of redness and itch to prevent progression to flare. The cream should be applied as a thin layer to the affected skin twice daily. Because it is a cream, pimecrolimus is quickly absorbed into the skin, is odourless and non-greasy.

Elidel Cream is available in a 30, 60 and 100-gram tubes. After first opening, the contents should be used within 12 weeks.

Will a doctor's prescription be necessary to obtain Elidel Cream?

Yes, Elidel Cream is only available on prescription.

How safe is Elidel Cream?

The safety profile of Elidel Cream has been evaluated in more than 2000 patients enrolled in clinical studies. Additionally there are many thousands of patients who have received Elidel Cream since its introduction in the USA and Denmark in March 2002. The most common skin side effect reported by 19% of patients in clinical trials was a mild, temporary feeling of warmth or burning where Elidel Cream was applied. Elidel Cream is steroid free and does not cause steroid-related side effects such as skin thinning.

Can Elidel Cream be used in young children?

Elidel Cream can be prescribed for children aged two years and above.

When did Elidel Cream become available in the UK?

Elidel Cream was granted a UK licence on October 4, 2002 for use in adults and children from two years and above. Elidel Cream is not limited to hospital prescribing.

Who manufactures Elidel Cream?

Elidel Cream is manufactured by Novartis Pharma AG. Novartis is a world leader in healthcare with core businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care, and animal health.

Information contained on this page has been supplied by Novartis Pharmaceuticals in March 2003

Page updated: 10 March 2006