Pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common condition affecting an estimated 10–15% of school-aged children. It has a cyclical disease course involving periods of clear skin, early signs/symptoms and flares. Traditionally, pediatric AD was treated mainly with topical corticosteroids; however, nonsteroidal topical calcineurin inhibitors, pimecrolimus 1% cream and tacrolimus 0.03% ointment are welcome additions to the therapeutic arsenal. Pimecrolimus is indicated for mild and moderate AD and tacrolimus for moderate and severe disease. As topical calcineurin inhibitors are increasingly accepted in the AD ‘continuum of care’, a need to distinguish the optimal roles of these agents has emerged. This article reviews clinical and safety data of pimecrolimus 1% cream in pediatric AD compared with vehicle and tacrolimus 0.03% ointment.