Protopic Ointment is a prescription ointment used to treat moderate to severe eczema. Protopic is for use after other prescription medicines have not worked or when a doctor recommends that other prescription medicines should not be used. Protopic should be used for short periods, and, if needed, treatment may be repeated with breaks in between.
Indications: moderate to severe eczema
Directions: Follow the directions for using Protopic 0.1% provided by your doctor. Protopic 0.1% comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill Protopic 0.1%. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Protopic 0.1%. DO NOT apply Protopic 0.1% to open wounds or infected areas. TO USE PROTOPIC 0.1%: Wash your hands and the affected areas before applying Protopic 0.1%. Completely dry the affected areas. Gently rub the medicine in until it is evenly distributed. DO NOT BANDAGE OR WRAP the affected area unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Wash your hands immediately after using Protopic 0.1%, unless your hands are part of the treated area. STORE PROTOPIC 0.1% at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Use Protopic 0.1% regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Using Protopic 0.1% at the same times each day will help you to remember. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF PROTOPIC 0.1%, apply it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Area of Application: body
Side Effects: Stinging, A burning feeling, Itching
Warnings: The safety of using Protopic, and drugs like it, for a long period of time is not known. A very small number of people who have used Protopic have had cancer (for example, skin or lymphoma). However, a link with Protopic has not been shown. Patients should avoid using Protopic continuously for a long time and apply Protopic only to areas with eczema. If the eczema does not improve within 6 weeks, patients should talk to their doctor.
Protopic should not be used by patients who are allergic to any of its ingredients. The most common side effects with the use of Protopic are stinging, burning, or itching.
Patients should avoid natural or artificial sunlight (sun lamps or tanning beds). Patients should not use Protopic if they have a skin infection on the area of skin to be treated. The skin being treated should not be covered with bandages, dressings, or wraps.
Only your doctor can weigh the risks and benefits and decide if Protopic is right for you. Please see the Medication Guide and talk to your doctor if you have any questions.
