Protopic and Elidel: Eczema Drugs Have a Cancer Risk

Early this year, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about two prescription topical creams for the common skin disease, eczema. Both Elidel and Protopic must now include written material for professionals and patients that warns of a cancer risk based on “information from animal studies, case reports in a small number of patients, and knowledge of how drugs in this class work.”

Though the warning says, “a small number” of people who have used the products “have had cancer (for example, skin or lymphoma),” evidence from the FDA’s own reporting system indicates that this may be an understatement. Pretty alarming for drugs that are applied to the skin, primarily for young children. Doubly so, considering the fact that less than 10% of all serious adverse drug reactions are reported to the FDA.

eczema

Useful handouts for use of steroid creams and moistursers here and here

Using topical steroids and emollients together

Most people with eczema will also use emollients (moisturisers). Emollients are very different to topical steroids, and should be used and applied in a different way. See separate leaflet called 'Emollients (Moisturisers) for Eczema'. When using the two treatments, after you have applied the steroid, wait 30-60 minutes before applying emollients to any steroid-treated areas of skin (or vice versa). This avoids 'diluting' the steroid which may make it less effective

One total body application of cream will use up about 30 grams