Pimecrolimus in dermatology.

Pimecrolimus is a non-steroidal immunosuppressant derived from ascomycin. This drug inhibits the action of calcineurin phosphatase and blocks the production of inflammatory substances that are thought to be important in causing skin lesions in inflammatory diseases. Pimecrolimus 1% cream (Elidel, Novartis Pharma, East Hanover, NJ, USA) was approved in the European Union, the United States and Japan as second-line therapy for the short- term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in non-immunocompromised adults and children aged 2 years and older, who have failed to respond adequately to other topical prescription treatments, or when those treatments are not advisable. This topical immunomodulator has also an enormous potential as topical treatment for numerous inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis and vitiligo. Recently, some authors reported its efficacy in the treatment of skin manifestations of Lupus erytematosus.