The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7209 p152
3 August 2002

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2002 World Congress of Dermatology (more)

New cream for eczema prevents flare-ups in infants

Pimecrolimus (Elidel), an anti-inflammatory cream in development, prevents flare-ups of atopic eczema in children as young as three months, according to new data presented at the 2002 World Congress of Dermatology, held in Paris, France, last month.

Pimecrolimus is expected to be launched in the United Kingdom early next year.

Novartis, the company developing the product, says that the agent works by selectively blocking the production and release of cytokines from T-cells in the skin. Two studies involving 961 children have shown that after one-year of treatment, pimecrolimus prevented flare-ups in 57 per cent of infants aged three to 23 months and in 51 per cent of children aged two to 17 years. In those treated with emollients plus topical corticosteroids as rescue treatment, flare-ups were prevented in 28 per cent of infants and 28 per cent of children.

Dr Neal Maskrey, medical director, National Prescribing Centre, said that pimecrolimus is a welcome additional therapeutic option for people with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. However, its place in therapy remains unclear. "Fully published trials in people typical of the groups who are likely to use these agents with appropariate comparisons would be very useful to aid decisions about when to use these products," he said.