Pimecrolimus cream 1% is effective in asteatotic eczema: results of a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study in 40 patients

• Published in: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2007-01, Vol.21 (1), p.90-94
• Main Authors: Schulz, P, Bunselmeyer, B, Bräutigam, M, Luger, TA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; asteatotic; corticosteroids; Dermatologic Agents - administration & dosage; Dermatologic Agents - therapeutic use; eczema; Eczema - drug therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pharmaceutical Vehicles; pimecrolimus; pruritus; Tacrolimus - administration & dosage; Tacrolimus - analogs & derivatives; Tacrolimus - therapeutic use; xerosis
• ISSN: 0926-9959; 1468-3083
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01879.x

Background and objective  Pimecrolimus cream 1% is an effective treatment for atopic eczema. The aim was to investigate its efficacy in asteatotic eczema, a skin disease similar to atopic eczema and its associated dry skin and itching. Methods  Single‐centre, randomized, double‐blind, vehicle controlled study in 40 patients with asteatotic eczema. Efficacy was assessed by eczema area and severity index (EASI), investigators global assessment (IGA), patient's self‐assessment, and pruritus severity. Results  After 4 weeks of treatment, EASI, the primary efficacy variable, was reduced by 62 ± 7% from baseline in patients on pimecrolimus, compared to 21 ± 14% in patients on vehicle (P = 0.013). With pimecrolimus there was also a better control of pruritus (P = 0.042) at week 4 whereas a better control of disease according to self‐assessment could only be observed at weeks 2 (P = 0.01) and week 3 (P = 0.08). Conclusion  Pimecrolimus cream 1% is effective in patients with asteatotic eczema.