Topical pimecrolimus: A new horizon for vitiligo treatment?

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1% in vitiligo and to evaluate the effects of age of the patients, age of onset and duration of disease on response rate. Materials and methods: Twenty‐three patients with vitiligo were enrolled in our study; 19 patients (seven male, 12 female) completed the 6‐month study period. Patients were treated with topical pimecrolimus 1% cream once daily. The response was evaluated as excellent (76–100%), moderate (51–75%), mild (26–50%), minimal (1–25%), or no response. Results: The mean age of the 19 patients was 29.3±16.6 (range 7–62 years) and the mean duration of vitiligo was 68.4±81.3 months. Three patients demonstrated an excellent response to the therapy. Four patients had moderate, six patients had mild and five patients had minimal responses; one patient had no response to the treatment. Side effects were noted as a burning and stinging sensation in only three patients. The correlations between response rate and duration of the disease (r = 0.02, p = 0.95), onset age (r = −0.17, p = 0.48), and age of the patients (r = −0.16, p = 0.53) were not significant. Conclusions: Pimecrolimus has a mild therapeutic effect on vitiligo without significant side effects and can be an alternative therapy agent.