"Elidel" is an anti-inflammatory drug for local treatment, which is used mainly in dermatology. The main active ingredient is pimecrolimus. This product does not contain hormones. Reviews about the "Elidel" are abundant.
Drug information
"Elidel" has an anti-inflammatory effect. It is well absorbed into the skin and reduces local inflammatory processes. With regular use, itching disappears, and external manifestations of dermatitis become less noticeable over time. This drug reduces the formation of cells that are participants in allergic reactions in the body. This tool prevents their penetration into the blood. Laboratory studies confirm that regardless of the size of the lesion, the course of therapy and the age of the patient, the concentration of the drug in the blood is usually very low and does not affect the well-being of a person.
According to reviews, "Elidel" with atopic dermatitis is indispensable.
Release form
The drug is released only in the form of a one percent homogeneous cream. The tool has a white color, and 1 gram of the drug contains 10 milligrams of the active component, which is pimecrolimus. The cream is packaged in aluminum tubes of 15, 30 or 100 milligrams. Tubes are placed in cardboard packaging.
Reviews about the "Elidel" from allergies in infants will be presented below.
Indications for use
The cream is prescribed to patients in a number of the following cases:
- In the presence of atopic dermatitis, which is a chronic allergic disease with a genetic predisposition.
- With various forms and types of eczema. Thus, this medicine is used in acute and chronic inflammatory processes on the skin, which are characterized by a variety of all kinds of rashes, and in addition, a tendency to soak the affected areas. An exception is microbial eczema.
- For the treatment of eczema and atopic dermatitis in cases where the use of hormone therapy is undesirable or even impossible, especially in children.
- The presence of intolerance or lack of effect of therapy with local hormonal medicines (corticosteroids).
- For use on affected areas located on the neck and head. The fact is that in these places, long-term treatment with most corticosteroids is undesirable, with the exception of Elidel. According to reviews, with atopic dermatitis, it can be used for a long time and not cause any side effects.
Contraindications
Contraindications for this tool are as follows:
- The presence of intolerance to the main active ingredient, that is, pimecrolimus, as well as an allergy to excipients of the cream.
- Children under the age of three months. The presence on the skin of an acute bacterial, fungal or viral infection. Application of this cream on the skin surface is allowed only immediately after the cure of infectious processes. Reviews about "Elidel" for babies are mostly positive.
- You can not apply this cream on the damaged area of the skin when there is a suspicion of malignant transformation or any dysplastic change in the skin (for example, when it comes to moles). It should be borne in mind that the study of the effect of the drug on the state of such processes was not conducted.
Instructions and reviews about the "Elidel" for children will be presented below.
When should I take the drug with caution?
Due to the possible risks of increased absorption of the drug, it is prescribed with caution in the following cases:
- If the patient has Netherton's syndrome. The presence of this syndrome indicates congenital skin lesions.
- Against the background of inflammatory processes with a severe course or with extensive skin damage.
In the presence of weakened immunity, for example, against the background of various immunodeficiency states, Elidel is also prescribed with caution, since no studies of the drug in this direction have been conducted to date. Patients who receive treatment with immunosuppressive drugs that suppress immunity will have to postpone Elidel therapy. During the treatment with this drug, patients are advised to avoid direct sunlight and artificial insolation, even while the cream is not applied to the affected area of the skin.
Side effects
According to reviews of "Elidel", when using the presented cream, people can experience various adverse reactions, namely:
- Transient feelings of burning or warmth in the area where the cream is applied may be felt.
- The appearance of local reactions in the form of skin irritation along with its redness or severe itching.
- The appearance of suppuration on the skin (in this case boils occur) or worsening of the overall clinical picture of the disease.
- The development of lymphadenopathy, against which the lymph nodes enlarge. This is very often associated with an infectious process on the skin. In the event that the reason for the enlargement of the lymph nodes is not established, then treatment with Elidel should be stopped immediately.
- The occurrence of pain, numbness, tingling, or peeling on the skin along with its dryness or swelling.
- The appearance of skin diseases, whose pathogens are viruses in the form of herpes simplex, molluscum contagiosum, skin papillomas and so on.
- Change in skin pigmentation. The area on which the cream was applied may become lighter or, conversely, can darken.
- Anaphylactic shock is rare, along with allergic reactions to the drug in the form of a rash or the appearance of Quincke's edema.
- This cream is incompatible with alcohol. In some situations, after taking it, redness of the face may occur. The appearance of a rash, itching, burning sensation and swelling at the site of application of the cream is not ruled out.
- Extremely rarely, the growth and development of a malignant neoplasm can be observed. True, the connection between the use of Elidel cream and the appearance of cancer has not yet been clarified.
In the event that certain adverse reactions are very pronounced, the patient should notify his doctor immediately. The specialist, in turn, must decide how appropriate further treatment with Elidel is.
How should i use the product?
Elidel cream is used only externally. It should be applied immediately when the first symptoms appear, to prevent the subsequent development of the disease. The course of therapy is set by the doctor. But, as indicated in the instructions, it should be short and short or periodic. Typically, the course continues until the clinical manifestations of the disease disappear. If symptoms persist even after six weeks of use, an examination should be repeated to confirm the diagnosis.
This cream can be applied to any area of the skin, including the face. It can be applied to the genital area and inguinal folds (that is, to places of diaper rash). Against this background, it is strongly not recommended to apply a tight tight bandage to the affected area of the skin. In the presence of a chronic process, the next course of therapy must be resumed immediately after the onset of signs of exacerbation.
What else to apply?
Immediately after applying the cream, it is best to use emollients, which need to lubricate the skin on top of the cream. And only after water procedures you need to do the opposite. That is, lubricate the skin with emollients before applying Elidel. In the event that the cream accidentally enters the mucous membranes or, for example, in the eyes, then it must be removed immediately. In this case, the eyes and mucous membranes are thoroughly washed with running water.
Dosage
This drug does not have a strictly established daily dose, and in addition, there are no restrictions on the size of the treated area and the duration of the course of treatment. The cream is applied to the affected surface twice a day every twelve hours with a thin layer. Then it should be gently rubbed until completely absorbed. It is believed that 1 gram of cream is enough to lubricate the affected area of the skin measuring 25 x 25 centimeters.
Can I use Elidel for babies?
It is worth emphasizing that "Elidel" can not be prescribed to newborn children and infants up to three months of life, since a study of the effect of the presented drug on this age group of patients has not been conducted to date. For older children, this drug can be used in the same ways and for the same indications as in adult patients.
According to reviews, the ointment "Elidel" is usually well tolerated.
Impact Features
After applying the drug, its active components begin to function very quickly, returning the skin to a healthy state. Various ailments, along with flaky skin, literally before our eyes are replaced by new, clean and smooth integuments. After applying the cream, many note an improvement the very next day. Reviews of "Elidel" with dermatitis confirm this.
However, according to doctors, you should not consider this tool as a measure for the prevention of this disease. It must be used exclusively as directed by a doctor and according to doctor's recommendations. Self-medication or self-diagnosis is extremely dangerous for health, especially when it comes to young children.
We learn further what doctors write in their reviews about Elidel.
Reviews of specialists about the medicine
Doctors write about this drug on the Internet that it effectively copes with its task. After studying the side effects of this cream and other hormonal medicines, experts confidently report that Elidel cream is safer than its analogues. In addition, doctors note that, as their practice shows, this drug is often more effective than drugs that can replace it.
According to reviews, "Elidel" for adults and children can easily cope with dermatitis. In babies, he treats this disease very gently, without causing any burning or dry skin. Many patients who have used this cream report its cost-effectiveness, since only a small amount of the drug is needed to treat the damaged area.
As doctors confirm in their reviews, Elidel helps people with severe forms of dermatitis, and also with diaper rash. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that this drug does not damage the delicate baby skin. True, doctors at the same time note that this cream is not a panacea and should be used only in conjunction with any other methods of combating atopic dermatitis in a child. The reviews of Elidel emphasize that, first of all, you should try to identify the main cause of skin disease. Provoking factors are usually food or contact allergies. With atopic dermatitis, you must follow a strict diet and daily routine. Many doctors in combination with Elidel prescribe pills or various drops for allergies. This approach, together with the diet and daily regimen, has a positive effect not only on the treatment of dermatitis, but also on the health of patients in general.
Cons of the drug
The disadvantage of the presented drug, which is noted not only by doctors, but also by patients, is its high cost, which varies from 800 to 1200 rubles per tube. True, as mentioned earlier, the rich texture of this cream allows you to spend it economically. But, nevertheless, as doctors share, patients very often ask them to replace this drug with a cheaper drug.
Pediatricians prescribe a course of treatment with Elidel for two to three weeks, although many who use it note a full recovery after a week. Doctors emphasize that it should be remembered that after a positive effect, you can not immediately abandon therapy. Sometimes you need to continue treatment for another two to three days to finally consolidate the results.
Thus, today this cream is a very popular and widely used tool for the treatment of dermatitis, eczema and other skin diseases. The only drawback, unfortunately, is the price of the drug, but, according to doctors, buying this cream is worth it, as it is very effective.
We reviewed the doctors' comments about Elidel and instructions.