Steroid alternative for long-term relief.
Protopic is an ointment for moderate to severe types of eczema, such as discoid eczema (a chronic skin condition that causes circular patches of swollen and itchy skin).
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Protopic is a type of medicine called an immunosuppressant, and it’s part of a class of medicines called calcineurin inhibitors. It’s an ointment used for various types of eczema, including discoid eczema, and it works by reducing the inflammation that causes red, swollen, dry, and itchy skin.
Protopic is officially approved for treating atopic dermatitis, but clinicians also use it to treat other skin conditions like discoid eczema, even though this use is called ‘off-label’. Off-label means it's used for a condition it hasn't been officially licensed for. Don’t worry though, there's a wealth of research supporting Protopic's use in this way. Still, if you're considering it for discoid eczema, it's best to have a chat with a clinician to ensure it's the right choice for you.
It’s generally used as an alternative for you if you can’t use corticosteroids (which tend to be the first line of treatment). But where corticosteroid creams are generally only recommended for flare-ups to avoid skin thinning, Protopic can be used for long-term management and prevention if you tend to have more than four flare-ups per year.
Although more research is needed to fully understand how tacrolimus works to improve dermatitis conditions, there are some notable observations. The active ingredient tacrolimus monohydrate is thought to attach to a protein called immunophilin FKBP12, which inhibits the activation and proliferation of T-cells (a type of white blood cell involved in immune responses). This stops certain chemical signals and overactivity from happening, and prevents the production of certain proteins that cause inflammation in the skin.
In animal studies, the use of tacrolimus ointment helped reduce inflammation in skin conditions that were similar to atopic dermatitis in humans. It also didn't make the skin thinner or cause any damage to the animals. It was also found to not affect collagen production in humans.
There are two strengths of Protopic available: 0.03% and 0.1%. One gram of 0.1% Protopic ointment contains 1.0mg of tacrolimus monohydrate. The lower strength of Protopic (0.03%) is usually reserved for children under the age of 16, but your clinician may prescribe you this dose first depending on the severity of your condition.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Make sure to follow your clinician’s instructions on how to use Protopic to get the best from it.
For flare-ups, use Protopic twice a day (morning and evening) until your symptoms clear.
For regular maintenance, use it twice a week — leaving two to three days between applications. Your condition will be reviewed every twelve months.
The time it takes for your eczema to improve can depend on how severe it is. In some cases, it may take up to two weeks to notice the difference. If you don’t see any improvement after two weeks, it might be worth a chat with your clinician to explore other options.
If you accidentally ingest the ointment, seek medical help immediately.
If you forget to apply Protopic, use it as soon as you remember. And then continue your routine as normal.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Patient information leaflet: Protopic ointment, emc.
Summary of product characteristics: Protopic ointment, emc.
Safety and efficacy of tacrolimus ointment 0.1% (Protopic) in atopic dermatitis: a Canadian open-label multicenter study. J Cutan Med Surg. 2004 Jul-Aug;8(4):213-9. doi: 10.1007/s10227-003-0115-z. PMID: 16091997.
US Tacrolimus Ointment Study Group. Efficacy and safety of tacrolimus ointment treatment for up to 4 years in patients with atopic dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Aug;53(2 Suppl 2):S186-94. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2005.04.062. PMID: 16021174.
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