Pimecrolimus

The Basics

What is Pimecrolimus?

Used to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema) in patients who have already been treated with other medicines that did not work well. Pimecrolimus belongs to a class of medicines known as topical calcineurin inhibitors that decrease inflammation.

Brand names for Pimecrolimus

Elidel

How Pimecrolimus is classified

Anti-Inflammatory Agents – Non-Steroidal, Dermatologic Agents, Immunosuppressive Agents

Pimecrolimus During Pregnancy

Pimecrolimus pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Pimecrolimus while pregnant

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with ELIDEL Cream, 1% in pregnant women. Therefore, ELIDEL Cream, 1% should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. In dermal embryofetal developmental studies, no maternal or fetal toxicity was observed up to the highest practicable doses tested, 10 mg/kg/day (1% pimecrolimus cream) in rats (0.14X MRHD based on body surface area) and 10 mg/kg/day (1% pimecrolimus cream) in rabbits (0.65X MRHD based on AUC comparisons). The 1% pimecrolimus cream was administered topically for 6 hours/day during the period of organogenesis in rats and rabbits (gestational days 6-21 in rats and gestational days 6-20 in rabbits). A second dermal embryofetal development study was conducted in rats using pimecrolimus cream applied dermally to pregnant rats (1 g cream/kg body weight of 0.2%, 0.6% and 1.0% pimecrolimus cream) from gestation day 6 to 17 at doses of 2, 6, and 10 mg/kg/day with daily exposure of approximately 22 hours. No maternal, reproductive, or embryo-fetal toxicity attributable to pimecrolimus was noted at 10 mg/kg/day (0.66X MRHD based on AUC comparisons), the highest dose evaluated in this study. No teratogenicity was noted in this study at any dose. A combined oral fertility and embryofetal developmental study was conducted in rats and an oral embryofetal developmental study was conducted in rabbits. Pimecrolimus was administered during the period of organogenesis (2 weeks prior to mating until gestational day 16 in rats, gestational days 6-18 in rabbits) up to dose levels of 45 mg/kg/day in rats and 20 mg/kg/day in rabbits. In the absence of maternal toxicity, indicators of embryofetal toxicity (post-implantation loss and reduction in litter size) were noted at 45 mg/kg/day (38X MRHD based on AUC comparisons) in the oral fertility and embryofetal developmental study conducted in rats. No malformations in the fetuses were noted at 45 mg/kg/day (38X MRHD based on AUC comparisons) in this study. No maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity or teratogenicity were noted in the oral rabbit embryofetal developmental toxicity study at 20 mg/kg/day (3.9X MRHD based on AUC comparisons), which was the highest dose tested in this study. A second oral embryofetal development study was conducted in rats. Pimecrolimus was administered during the period of organogenesis (gestational days 6 – 17) at doses of 2, 10 and 45 mg/kg/day. Maternal toxicity, embryolethality and fetotoxicity were noted at 45 mg/kg/day (271X MRHD based on AUC comparisons). A slight increase in skeletal variations that were indicative of delayed skeletal ossification was also noted at this dose. No maternal toxicity, embryolethality or fetotoxicity were noted at 10 mg/kg/day (16X MRHD based on AUC comparisons). No teratogenicity was noted in this study at any dose. A second oral embryofetal development study was conducted in rabbits. Pimecrolimus was administered during the period of organogenesis (gestational days 7 – 20) at doses of 2, 6 and 20 mg/kg/day. Maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity and fetotoxicity were noted at 20 mg/kg/day (12X MRHD based on AUC comparisons). A slight increase in skeletal variations that were indicative of delayed skeletal ossification was also noted at this dose. No maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity or fetotoxicity were noted at 6 mg/kg/day (5X MRHD based on AUC comparisons). No teratogenicity was noted in this study at any dose. An oral peri-and post-natal developmental study was conducted in rats. Pimecrolimus was administered from gestational day 6 through lactational day 21 up to a dose level of 40 mg/kg/day. Only 2 of 22 females delivered live pups at the highest dose of 40 mg/kg/day. Postnatal survival, development of the F1 generation, their subsequent maturation and fertility were not affected at 10 mg/kg/day (12X MRHD based on AUC comparisons), the highest dose evaluated in this study. Pimecrolimus was transferred across the placenta in oral rat and rabbit embryofetal developmental studies.

Taking Pimecrolimus While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Pimecrolimus?

Topical pimecrolimus has not been studied during breastfeeding; however, it is used topically in children as young as 3 months of age. Because it is poorly absorbed after topical application and plasma concentrations after topical use in adults are less than 2 mcg/L, it is a low risk to the nursing infant. Do not apply to the nipple area and avoid direct contact of the infant with the areas of skin that have been treated.[1][2] Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.[3]

Maternal / infant drug levels

Topical pimecrolimus has not been studied during breastfeeding; however, it is used topically in children as young as 3 months of age. Because it is poorly absorbed after topical application and plasma concentrations after topical use in adults are less than 2 mcg/L, it is a low risk to the nursing infant. Do not apply to the nipple area and avoid direct contact of the infant with the areas of skin that have been treated.[1][2] Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.[3]

Possible effects of Pimecrolimus on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Pimecrolimus

Tacrolimus.