Product Details

What you need to know before you use Elidel cream

Carefully follow all instructions given to you by your doctor. Read the following information before you use Elidel cream. Do not use Elidel cream • If you are allergic to pimecrolimus or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). Warnings and precautions Do not smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it. Speak to your doctor before using Elidel if you have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised) whatever the cause. Elidel cream is only to be used for atopic dermatitis. Do not use for other skin conditions. Elidel cream is for external use only. Do not use it in your nose, eyes or mouth. If accidentally applied to these areas, the cream should be thoroughly wiped off and/or rinsed with water. You should take care not to swallow it, or to accidentally transfer it into your mouth when, for example, it is applied to the hands. Do not apply the cream to areas of the skin affected by active viral infection such as cold sores (herpes simplex) or chicken pox. If your skin is infected, check with your doctor before using Elidel. Your doctor may ask you to use an appropriate medicine to treat the infection. When the infection at treatment sites is cleared, treatment with Elidel can be started. If your skin becomes infected during treatment with Elidel, you should inform your doctor. Your doctor may ask you to stop using Elidel until the infection has been adequately controlled. Elidel may be associated with an increased risk of a severe herpes simplex skin infection (eczema herpeticum). Therefore if you develop painful sores anywhere on your body, tell your doctor immediately. You should stop using Elidel until the infection has cleared. Elidel may cause reactions at the application site such as a feeling of warmth and/or a burning sensation. These reactions are usually mild and last only for a short time. Tell your doctor immediately if you have a severe reaction to Elidel. If you are using Elidel, do not cover the treated skin with bandages, dressings or wraps. However, you can still wear normal clothing. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight, sun lamps and tanning beds during treatment with Elidel. If you are outdoors after applying Elidel, wear loose fitting clothing, use appropriate sunscreen products and minimise the amount of time you spend in the sun. If you have erythroderma (redness of almost the entire body) or a skin condition called Netherton’s syndrome, speak to your doctor before you start using Elidel . Also speak to your doctor before using Elidel if you have any skin malignancies (tumours). If your lymph nodes become swollen during treatment with Elidel cream, tell your doctor. Children The use of Elidel in patients under 3 months of age is not recommended. Other medicines and Elidel cream Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines. Application of pimecrolimus to vaccination sites, as long as local reactions persist is not recommended. If you have extensive eczema, you may need to stop using Elidel before having any vaccinations. Your doctor will be able to tell you if this is necessary. Elidel should not be used at the same time as ultraviolet light treatments (such as UVA, PUVA, UVB) or systemic immunosuppressive medicines (such as azathioprine or cyclosporin). Interactions with other medicines that you take are unlikely to occur. Elidel cream with food,drink and alcohol In rare cases, you may experience flushing, rash, burning, itching or swelling shortly after drinking alcohol. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. You should not use Elidel if you are pregnant. It is not known whether the active substance in Elidel passes into the milk after application to the skin. Do not apply Elidel to the breasts if breast-feeding. Driving and using machines Elidel has no known effect on the ability to drive or use machines. Elidel contains cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis). Further Elidel also contains 10 mg benzyl alcohol per 1 g cream, which may cause allergic reactions and mild local irritation. Elidel also contains 50 mg propylene glycol (E 1520) per 1 g cream which may cause skin irritation.