ELIDEL Cream Ref.[8464] Active ingredients: Pimecrolimus

Elidel cream should not be used in patients with congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies or in patients on therapy that causes immunosuppression.

Long-term effect on the local skin immune response and on the incidence of skin malignancies is unknown. Elidel should not be applied to potentially malignant or pre-malignant skin lesions.

Elidel should not be applied to areas affected by acute cutaneous viral infections (herpes simplex, chicken pox).

Elidel has not been evaluated for its efficacy and safety in the treatment of clinically infected atopic dermatitis. Before commencing treatment with Elidel, clinical infections at treatment sites should be cleared.

While patients with atopic dermatitis are predisposed to superficial skin infections including eczema herpeticum (Kaposi’s varicelliform eruption), treatment with Elidel may be associated with an increased risk of skin herpes simplex virus infection, or eczema herpeticum (manifesting as rapid spread of vesicular and erosive lesions). In the presence of herpes simplex skin infection, Elidel treatment at the site of infection should be discontinued until the viral infection has cleared.

Patients with severe atopic dermatitis may have an increased risk of skin bacterial infections (impetigo) during treatment with Elidel.

Use of Elidel may cause mild and transient reactions at the site of application, such as a feeling of warmth and/or burning sensation. If the application site reaction is severe, the risk-benefit of treatment should be re-evaluated.

Care should be taken to avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. If accidentally applied to these areas, the cream should be thoroughly wiped off and/or rinsed off with water.

Physicians should advise patients on appropriate sun protection measures, such as minimisation of the time in the sun, use of sunscreen product and covering the skin with appropriate clothing (see section 4.5).

Elidel contains cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis) and benzyl alcohol, which may cause allergic reactions and mild local irritation. Elidel also contains propylene glycol (E 1520), which may cause skin irritation.

Elidel contains the active substance pimecrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor. In transplant patients, prolonged systemic exposure to intense immunosuppression following systemic administration of calcineurin inhibitors has been associated with an increased risk of developing lymphomas and skin malignancies.

Cases of malignancies, including cutaneous and other types of lymphoma, and skin cancers have been reported in patients using pimecrolimus cream (see section 4.8). However, patients with atopic dermatitis treated with Elidel have not been found to have significant systemic pimecrolimus levels.

In clinical studies, 14/1,544 (0.9%) cases of lymphadenopathy were reported while using Elidel 10mg/g cream. These cases of lymphadenopathy were usually related to infections and noted to resolve upon appropriate antibiotic therapy. Of these 14 cases, the majority had either a clear etiology or were known to resolve. Patients who receive Elidel 10mg/g cream and who develop lymphadenopathy should have the etiology of their lymphadenopathy investigated. In the absence of a clear etiology for the lymphadenopathy, or in the presence of acute infectious mononucleosis, Elidel 10mg/g cream should be discontinued. Patients who develop lymphadenopathy should be monitored to ensure that the lymphadenopathy resolves.

Instruct patients not to smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.

Populations with potentially higher risk of systemic exposure.

Elidel has not been studied in patients with Netherton’s syndrome. Due to the potential for increased systemic absorption of pimecrolimus, Elidel is not recommended in patients with Netherton’s syndrome.

As the safety of Elidel has not been established in erythrodermic patients, the use of the product in this patient population cannot be recommended.

The use of Elidel under occlusion has not been studied in patients. Occlusive dressings are not recommended.

In patients with severely inflamed and/or damaged skin, the systemic concentrations may be higher.

Potential interactions between Elidel and other medicinal products have not been systematically evaluated. Pimecrolimus is exclusively metabolised by CYP 450 3A4. Based on its minimal extent of absorption, interactions of Elidel with systemically administered medicinal products are unlikely to occur (see section 5.2).

The present data indicate that Elidel can be used simultaneously with antibiotics, antihistamines and corticosteroids (oral/nasal/inhaled).

Based on the minimal extent of absorption, a potential systemic interaction with vaccination is unlikely to occur. However, this interaction has not been studied. Therefore, in patients with extensive disease, it is recommended to administer vaccinations during treatment-free intervals.

Application of pimecrolimus to vaccination sites, as long as local reactions persist, was not studied and is therefore not recommended.

There is no experience with concomitant use of immunosuppressive therapies given for atopic eczema such as UVB, UVA, PUVA, azathioprine and cyclosporin A.

Elidel has no photocarcinogenic potential in animals (see section 5.3.). However, since the relevance to man is unknown excessive exposure of the skin to ultraviolet light including light from a solarium, or therapy with PUVA, UVA or UVB should be avoided during treatment with Elidel.

Pregnancy

There are no adequate data from the use of Elidel in pregnant women. Animal studies using dermal application do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to embryonal/fetal development. Studies in animals after oral application have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Based on the minimal extent of pimecrolimus absorption after topical application of Elidel (see section 5.2), the potential risk for humans is considered limited. However, Elidel should not be used during pregnancy.

Lactation

Animal studies on milk excretion after topical application were not conducted and the use of Elidel in breastfeeding women has not been studied. It is not known whether pimecrolimus is excreted in the milk after topical application.

However, based on the minimal extent of pimecrolimus absorption after topical application of Elidel, (see section 5.2), the potential risk for humans is considered limited. Caution should be exercised when Elidel is administered to breastfeeding women.

Breastfeeding mothers may use Elidel but should not apply Elidel to the breast in order to avoid unintentional oral uptake by the newborn.

Fertility

There are no clinical data on the effects of pimecrolimus on male or female fertility (see section 5.3 Preclinical safety data).

Elidel has no known effect on the ability to drive and use machines.

The most common adverse events were application site reactions which were reported by approximately 19% of the patients treated with Elidel and 16% of patients in the control groups. These reactions generally occurred early in treatment, were mild/moderate and were of short duration.

Adverse reactions are ranked under heading of frequency, the most frequent first, using the following convention: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100, <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000, <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000, <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000, including isolated reports).

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Common: Skin infections (folliculitis)

Uncommon: Furuncle, impetigo, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, herpes simplex dermatitis (eczema herpeticum), skin papilloma and condition aggravated

Rare: Allergic reactions (e.g. rash, urticaria, angiooedema), skin discoloration (e.g hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation)

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Rare: Alcohol intolerance (in most cases, flushing, rash, burning, itching or swelling occurred shortly after the intake of alcohol)

Infections and infestations

Uncommon: Molluscum contagiosum

General disorders and administration site conditions

Very common: Application site burning

Common: Application site reactions (irritation, pruritus and erythema)

Uncommon: Application site disorders (rash, pain, paraesthesia, desquamation, dryness, oedema)

Immune system disorders

Very rare: Anaphylactic reactions, including severe forms

Post marketing: Cases of malignancy, including cutaneous and other types of lymphoma, and skin cancers, have been reported in patients using pimecrolimus cream (see Section 4.4).

Cases of lymphadenopathy have been reported in post-marketing use and in clinical trials, however a causal relationship with the Elidel treatment has not been established (see section 4.4).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at : www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Not applicable.