Medication Information
Protopic ointment is used to treat the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (a skin disease that is also called eczema) in patients who cannot use other topical medications for their condition or whose eczema has not responded to another medication. Protopic is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by stopping the immune systemfrom producing substances that cause eczema.
How should Protopic be used?
Protopic comes as an ointment to apply to the skin. It is usually applied twice a day to the affected area. To help you remember to apply Protopic ointment, use it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use Protopic exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
You should not use Protopic ointment regularly for a long time. You should only apply Protopic ointment when you have symptoms of atopic dermatitis and for one week after your symptoms clear. Call your doctor when your symptoms go away to find out if you should stop using Protopic ointment. Also call your doctor as soon as you notice that your symptoms have come back to find out if you should start using Protopic ointment again.
It may take up to 6 weeks before you feel the full benefit of Protopic ointment. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 6 weeks or if they get worse during the first few weeks of your treatment.
Wash your hands before applying the medicine. If you have just taken a bath or a shower, be sure your skin is completely dry. Apply the ointment sparingly in a thin film and rub it in gently. Be careful not to get the ointment in your mouth or eyes. Do not apply cosmetics or other skin preparations on the treated area without talking with your doctor. Do not wrap or bandage the treated area. If you are not treating eczema on your hands, wash your hands thoroughly after applying Protopicointment
Other uses for Protopic
Protopic may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before using Protopic ointment,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Protopic ointment, injection, or capsules (Prograf), or any other medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac) and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); cimetidine (Tagamet); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); and other ointments, creams, or lotions. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have a skin infection and if you have or have ever had cancer or Netherton's syndrome (a skin disease). Also tell your doctor if you are being treated with any form of light therapy such as phototherapy, UVA, or UVB.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using Protopicointment, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Protopicointment.
- ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are using Protopic ointment. Alcohol can make the skin or face become flushed or red and feel hot.
plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to natural and artificial sunlight (such as sun lamps and tanning beds) and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Protopic ointment may increase the risk that you will develop skin cancer if your skin is exposed to sunlight.
- avoid exposure to chicken pox, shingles, and other viruses. If you are exposed to one of these diseases while using Protopicointment, call your doctor immediately.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking Protopic.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply extra ointment to make up for a missed dose.
What side effects can Protopic cause?
Protopicointment may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- skin burning, stinging, redness or soreness
- itching
- headache
- tingling skin
- muscle pain
- flu-like symptoms
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience either of them, call your doctor immediately:
Some patients developed skin cancer or lymph node cancer while they were using Protopic ointment It is not known if Protopic ointment caused the cancer to develop or if the patients would have developed cancer even if they had not used the medication. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using Protopic ointment.
Protopic ointmentmay cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking Protopic.
What storage conditions are needed for Protopic?
Keep Protopic in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Do not use Protopicointment for a skin condition other than the one for which it was prescribed. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
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