Five Questions About Protopic (tacrolimus...(or tanning beds). Patients should not u...)

As with all prescription medications, patients should talk with their doctor about their medical history, other health conditions and any other prescription, over-the-counter or natural medicines they may be using. Patients also should tell their doctor if they have a skin disease called Netherton's syndrome, or skin infections such as chicken pox or herpes or if they've been told they have a weakened immune system, or are pregnant, breast feeding or planning to become pregnant.(11)

Important Information Patients Should Know About Protopic Ointment

The safety of using Protopic Ointment for a long period of time is not known. A very small number of people who have used Protopic Ointment have had cancer (for example, skin or lymphoma). However, a link with Protopic Ointment has not been shown. Because of this concern, patients should:

• Not use Protopic Ointment continuously for a long time
• Use Protopic Ointment only on areas of skin that have eczema
• Not use Protopic Ointment on a child under 2 years old(12)
  

If the eczema does not improve within six weeks, patients should contact their doctor.

Visit www.protopic.com for more information including full prescribing information.

References

1. Handout on Health: Atopic Dermatitis. National Institute of Arthritis and Muscoskeletal and Skin Diseases. NIH Publication No. 03-4272. Revised April 2003, page 3
2. Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis, American Academy of Dermatology web site. http//
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