A strong drug that helps lower inflammation.
Elidel is a topical calcineurin inhibitor that works to reduce inflammation by changing your immune response. It’s an effective drug that can treat perioral dermatitis within a few weeks.
To order Elidel, talk to us about your health. We’ll recommend a list of personalised treatment options for you to choose from.
Elidel is a drug for skin inflammation. It’s part of a group of drugs called topical calcineurin inhibitors, which work by altering your immune system to treat conditions like eczema and dermatitis. Elidel is typically used to treat atopic eczema, but it can also be prescribed ‘off-label’ to treat other skin conditions, such as perioral dermatitis.
Perioral dermatitis is a skin rash around the mouth that’s characterised by pink, scaly patches and spots. Although its cause is unknown, topical corticosteroid overuse has been linked to it. First-line treatments include topical or oral antibiotics, but topical calcineurin inhibitors like Elidel are also effective if these aren’t suitable.
Your body's inflammatory cells are activated by a protein called calcineurin, which causes skin inflammation and swelling. Pimecrolimus, the active ingredient in Elidel, can inhibit calcineurin. It binds to the protein FKBP, which blocks calcineurin, preventing the production of inflammatory cells such as T cells and cytokines. As a result, inflammation and redness are reduced.
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.
To apply Elidel, follow the instructions below:
You can use moisturiser after applying Elidel, but wait a while before washing, bathing or showering, as this can wash it off.
Elidel can be used short-term and for longer periods. But for long-term use it should be used intermittently, not continuously. Once your symptoms have improved, stop using it. If your symptoms return, start using it again. Your clinician will advise you when to use the cream. If there’s been no improvement in your symptoms after six weeks, talk to your clinician about what to do next. You may need to try an alternative treatment.
If you accidentally apply more cream than you should, wipe off the excess using a tissue.
If you forget to use Elidel, apply it as soon as you remember. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your dosing schedule 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.
Perioral Dermatitis. [Updated 2023 Apr 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from:
Pimecrolimus. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from:
Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors (TCIs). Available from:
Pimecrolimus cream (1%) efficacy in perioral dermatitis - results of a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study in 40 patients. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 21(9), pp.1175–1180. Available from:
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