The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7219 p517
12 October 2002

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European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (www.eadv2002.cz)

Tacrolimus ointment better than topical steroids in atopic dermatitis

TACROLIMUS ointment (Protopic), a topical immunomodulator, changes the course of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis by reducing the severity and frequency of flare-ups, according to a long-term trial reported earlier this month at the 11th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology in Prague.

The open-label study followed 316 adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis being treated with tacrolimus ointment (0.1 per cent twice daily) over a period of six to 12 months. Substantial improvement was achieved in 70 per cent of patients for longer than half the study period. Nearly 90 per cent (104/116) of patients treated for one year remained free of flare-ups, defined as withdrawing from the study due to lack of treatment efficacy or an exacerbation of their disease requiring corticosteroid treatment. In the 12 patients suffering flare-ups, three required corticosteroids and nine withdrew from the trial due to lack of efficacy.

Dr Malcolm Rustin, consultant dermatologist, Royal Free Hospital, London, said: "Tacrolimus ointment represents a significant advance from the topical corticosteroids that have been our only option in atopic dermatitis for so long."

He added: "The problem with topical steroids is that the potential for serious side-effects, such as skin atrophy, restricts their use to short-term treatment. Topical tacrolimus provides a steroid-free option which combines good efficacy with improved safety. It offers the potential for modifying the long-term course of atopic dermatitis."