The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7238 p292
1 March 2003

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Journal of Pediatrics abstract (more)

New eczema cream works well in young infants

Pimecrolimus (Elidel) cream is an effective treatment for atopic dermatitis in infants as young as three months, according to the authors of a new study (Journal of Pediatrics 2003;142:155).

They found that after six weeks of treatment, more than twice as many patients treated with pimecrolimus than a placebo cream (Elidel base without active ingredient) were rated as clear or almost clear of eczema. The study, funded by Novartis, involved 186 infants, aged three to 23 months, with mild to moderate eczema.

The researchers say that in the first 15 days of treatment the proportion of patients in the pimecrolimus group rated as clear or almost clear of eczema increased rapidly to 37.4 per cent. After six weeks the proportion rose to 54.5 per cent, compared with 23.8 per cent for the control group (P<0.001). By day 43, pruritus “the most bothersome symptom of atopic dermatitis” was absent or mild in 72.4 per cent of pimecrolimus-treated infants compared with 33.3 per cent of control infants (P<0.001).

Overall, there was a slightly higher incidence of adverse events in the pimecrolimus group compared with the vehicle group.

Elidel is currently licensed for use in adults and children over two years.