Drug Uses

Use Protopic only to treat eczema that has been diagnosed by a doctor.

How Taken

Apply a thin layer of Protopic to all skin areas that your doctor has diagnosed as eczema. Try to cover the affected areas completely.

Warnings/Precautions

Avoid sunlight and sun lamps, tanning beds, and treatment with UVA or UVB light. If you need to be outdoors after applying Protopic, wear loose fitting clothing that protects the treated area from the sun. In addition, ask your doctor what other type of protection from the sun you should use.

Missed Dose

Apply Protopic as soon as you can remember.

Possible Side Effects

The most common side effects of Protopic are stinging, soreness, a burning feeling, or itching of the skin treated with Protopic. These side effects are usually mild to moderate and are most common during the first few days of treatment and typically lessen if your skin heals.

Storage

Store Protopic at room temperature (59E to 86EF). Never leave Protopic in your car in cold or hot weather. Make sure the cap on the tube is tightly closed. Keep Protopic out of the reach of children.

Overdose

An overdose with Protopic is highly unlikely to occur. Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an overdose.

More Information

Do not use Protopic for a condition for which it was not prescribed. If you have any concerns about Protopic, ask your doctor. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you information about Protopic that was written for health care professionals.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.

Other info about Protopic at Wikipedia.org and other resources:

PROTOPIC (Tacrolimus) Ointment [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]
Updated Date: May 25, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

PROTOPIC (Tacrolimus) Ointment [Astellas Pharma US, Inc.]
Updated Date: Feb 16, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Topical tracrolimus: Immunomodulating therapy can repigment vitiligo
Edmonton, Alberta — Although several different theories exist with regard to the pathogenesis of vitiligo, an immune basis appears to be the most favored mechanism, with cytokines and other chemical mediators playing a center role in disease development and progression. As a result, immunomodulating therapies such as tacrolimus (Protopic, Astellas) are employed. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Health-related utility among adults with atopic dermatitis treated with 0·1% tacrolimus ointment as maintenance therapy over the long term: findings from the Protopic® CONTROL study
Conclusions Patients with AD of all severities showed considerable decrements in health-related utility. However, treatment with 0·1% tacrolimus ointment was associated with clinically significant improvement in health-related utility for patients with moderate and severe AD, which was sustained over a 12-month maintenance period compared with those using standard treatment with an emollient vehicle. (Source: British Journal of Dermatology)

FK-506 ointment: an effective adjuvant therapy to treat a dramatic case of pyoderma gangrenosum of unilateral hand.
Authors: Lucchina S, Parvex SL, Biegger P, Fusetti C Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a cutaneous ulcer developing so rapidly that may mimic a fulminating infection. The correct treatment is nonsurgical, and surgery may get the condition worse.1 FK-506 ointment (0.1% Protopic, Astellas Pharma AG, Fribourg) is usually indicated for inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis2 or for acute rejection reversal of human hand transplantation 3. A few reports of PG affecting the functions of hands can be found in the scientific literature and this report describes the first case treated by FK-506 ointment as an adjuvant therapy. PMID: 19486563 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Chinese Journal of Traumatology)