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Protopic

Generic Name: tacrolimus topical (ta KRA lih muss TOP ik al)
Brand Names: Protopic

What is Protopic?

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Protopic is a topical macrolide immunosuppressant. It works by decreasing cell activity in the body's immune system which helps to slow down the growth of atopic dermatitis (eczema) on your skin.

Protopic is used to treat severe atopic dermatitis when other medications have not worked well.

Protopic may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

Important information about Protopic

Do not use Protopic on a child 2 years of age or younger.

A small number of people have developed skin cancer after using Protopic or pimecrolimus (Elidel) skin medications. However, it is not known if either of these medicines causes skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk.

Use this medication only on the skin, exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Protopic is not for long-term use.

If you are using this medicine on a child younger than 16 years old, use only the 0.03% ointment. The 0.1% ointment is for adults and children who are at least 16 years old, but is too strong to use on younger children.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Talk to your doctor if your skin condition does not improve after using Protopic for 6 weeks.

If you miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

There may be other drugs or skin products that can affect Protopic. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

Before using Protopic

Before using Protopic, tell your doctor if you have:

skin cancer or a skin infection (including herpes or chicken pox);
Netherton's syndrome (a genetic skin disorder);
a weak immune system (from cancer treatments, HIV/AIDS or certain medicines such as steroids);
kidney disease; or
swelling, redness, or irritation of large areas of your skin.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Protopic or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Protopic can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to get sick from a virus such as chicken pox or herpes (cold sores or shingles). Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to any illness.

FDA pregnancy category C: This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Protopic without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Protopic passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Protopic?

Use Protopic only on the skin, exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Protopic is not for long-term use.

Do not use Protopic on a child 2 years of age or younger.

Stop using the medicine once your symptoms have cleared up, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Wash your hands before and after using Protopic, unless you are using the medication to treat a hand condition.

Apply the medicine only to clean, dry skin. Use the smallest amount needed to apply a thin layer to the skin areas diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. Rub in gently. Do not cover the treated skin with a bandage.

Do not bathe, shower, or swim right after applying Protopic. Water may wash off the medicine.

Right after applying Protopic, you may need to rub in a moisturizing cream or lotion to keep your skin from getting too dry. Ask your doctor about which cream or lotion to use.

Talk to your doctor if your skin condition does not improve after using Protopic for 6 weeks.

Store Protopic at room temperature. Do not freeze. Keep the cap on the ointment tube when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Protopic is not expected to cause overdose symptoms.

What should I avoid while using Protopic?

Avoid using any other skin product that has not been recommended by your doctor.

Avoid sunlight, sun lamps, tanning beds, and phototherapy treatments with UVA or UVB light. If you must be outdoors, wear loose clothing over the skin areas treated with Protopic. Do not use sunscreen on treated skin unless your doctor has told you to. Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol while you are using Protopic may cause your skin or face to feel hot and become flushed or red.

Protopic side effects

Stop using Protopic and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Protopic and call your doctor if you have:

worsened skin symptoms;
signs of a skin infection (redness, swelling, itching, oozing);
swollen glands; or
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious Protopic side effects are more likely to occur. Continue using Protopic and talk with your doctor if you have any of these side effects:

burning, stinging, tingling, or soreness of treated skin (especially during the first few days of treatment);
swollen hair follicles;
acne;
upset stomach;
muscle pain;
headache; or
feeling more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Protopic?

Before using Protopic, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

cimetidine (Tagamet).
erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S. and others);
an antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or fluconazole (Diflucan); or
a heart medicine such as verapamil (Calan, Verelan), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR, Tiazac), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), or nicardipine (Cardene).

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about Protopic written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Tacrolimus topical is available with a prescription under the brand name Protopic. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Protopic 0.03 % ointment
Protopic 0.1% ointment

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.