Elidel Exploration: Usage, Adverse Effects, Pricing, and Additional Information
Elidel, a topical cream containing the active drug pimecrolimus, is primarily approved for treating mild to moderate eczema (atopic dermatitis) in certain adults and children aged 2 years and older. The cream comes in one strength: 1%. It is applied twice daily to affected areas of the skin.
Important Considerations
Elidel has a boxed warning from the FDA about potential risks with long-term use, as it's not known if it's safe to use the drug for longer than one year. It's crucial to avoid artificial sunlight, including sun lamps, tanning beds, and treatment with UV light therapy while using Elidel. Limit your exposure to the sun as much as possible and wear loose-fitting clothing to protect treated areas.
Alcohol isn't known to interact with Elidel, but it's essential to discuss with your doctor about how much, if any, alcohol is safe to drink during your eczema treatment.
Alternative Treatments
If Elidel isn't suitable for you, other drugs are available to treat eczema, such as crisaborole, fluocinonide, hydrocortisone, mometasone, tacrolimus, azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate, mycophenolate, and prednisone. Consult your doctor for guidance on finding an alternative treatment.
Interactions and Side Effects
Elidel may interact with several other medications, so it's important to inform your doctor and pharmacist about all drugs you take, including vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
Mild side effects from Elidel may include a burning feeling where it's applied, mild infection, cough, fever, headache, swelling in nasal passages and the back of the throat, and skin warts in children.
Serious side effects from Elidel are rare but can include swollen lymph nodes, risks with long-term use, serious infection, and allergic reaction.
Availability and Cost
Elidel is not available over-the-counter and requires a prescription. The manufacturer offers a program that may help lower the cost of the drug. Contact them at 833-862-8727 or visit their website for more information.
Elidel may be available through a mail-order pharmacy, potentially lowering its cost and allowing for home delivery. Check with your doctor and insurance company for eligibility.
Elidel can interact with several other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all drugs you take, including vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
Off-Label Uses
Elidel is not approved to treat hyperpigmentation, acne, or vitiligo, but may be used off-label to treat these conditions. However, other agents are preferred for these conditions based on current dermatological practice and evidence.
For hyperpigmentation, topical agents that inhibit melanin production may be useful, but Elidel is not commonly listed among them. Ingredients like azelaic acid or tretinoin are more recognized for these purposes.
Regarding acne, Elidel's anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects could theoretically help, but it is not a standard or well-documented off-label treatment for acne. Standard acne treatments remain retinoids, antibiotics, and benzoyl peroxide.
For vitiligo, although Elidel (a topical calcineurin inhibitor) is sometimes used off-label in immune-mediated skin conditions, its efficacy specifically for vitiligo is not highlighted in the provided sources.
Precautions
Elidel should not be applied to your eyes, mouth, nose, rectum, or vagina. It's not known if Elidel is safe to use while breastfeeding or during pregnancy, and there haven't been studies on pregnant people using the medication. Breastfeeding while using Elidel is not recommended due to the lack of information on whether the drug can pass into breast milk or cause side effects in a breastfed child.
If you're interested in using pimecrolimus cream instead of Elidel, discuss this with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other, and you'll need to check your insurance plan.
The cost of Elidel can vary depending on insurance, location, and pharmacy. Financial assistance may be available to help pay for the medication.
Usage and Dosage
If you miss a dose of Elidel, apply it as soon as you remember, but if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and apply your usual dose at its regular time.
In clinical studies, some people using Elidel saw reduced eczema symptoms within 8-15 days after starting treatment, but it may take up to a month before you start seeing improvements.
If your symptoms haven't lessened after using Elidel for 6 weeks, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a different treatment for your eczema.
Elidel should not be covered with bandages, dressings, or tight clothing to avoid absorbing more of the drug than usual and increasing your risk for side effects. Elidel should not be used in children younger than 2 years old.
[1] FDA. (2021). Elidel (pimecrolimus) cream. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/elidel-pimecrolimus-cream
[2] American Academy of Dermatology. (2020). Hyperpigmentation. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/cosmetic-procedures/hyperpigmentation
[3] National Organization for Rare Disorders. (2021). Vitiligo. Retrieved from https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/vitiligo/
[4] Mayo Clinic. (2020). Hyperpigmentation. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperpigmentation/symptoms-causes/syc-20375475
[5] National Eczema Association. (2021). Pimecrolimus. Retrieved from https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatments/topical-medications/pimecrolimus/
- AbbVie, the manufacturer of Elidel, offers a program to help reduce the cost of the drug for those requiring a prescription.
- If Elidel is not appropriate, there exist other options for treating eczema, such as crisaborole, fluocinonide, hydrocortisone, and tacrolimus, among others.
- Pimecrolimus cream, found in Elidel, may be used off-label to treat skin conditions like hyperpigmentation or vitiligo, but agents like azelaic acid or tretinoin may be more advantageous for hyperpigmentation, and standard acne treatments remain retinoids, antibiotics, and benzoyl peroxide.
