Elidel 1% Cream

Elidel 1% Cream is useful as an alternative for those patients who regularly use topical steroids on the face (including eyelids and the area surround the eyes) or have signs of steroid side-effects such as skin thinning. It can be used twice daily to get the flare under control for 1-2 weeks, then can be applied twice weekly to keep flares at bay. Elidel 1% Cream is used to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) in adults who are not adequately responsive to or are intolerant of conventional therapies such as topical corticosteroids and in those who failed to respond adequately to conventional therapies such as topical corticosteroids. 

What’s the difference between Elidel Cream and Protopic Ointment?

These are both similar medications containing a drug from the same family known as calcineurin inhibitors, which are anti-inflammatory and will help settle your symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. We would recommend using Elidel 1% cream in milder cases of Eczema or Psoriasis. In more severe cases of eczema or where Elidel 1% has been ineffective, we would recommend using Protopic 0.1% or 0.03% Ointment. See our Eczema and Psoriasis guides for more information. Our specialist dermatology pharmacists will assess your skin condition during the consultation process and will let you know if Protopic or Elidel are a suitable option.

• Apply twice daily to get the flare under control for 2-4 weeks, then it can be applied twice weekly to keep flares at bay (e.g., Monday and Thursday).
• Stop treatment if your condition worsens or there is no response after 4 weeks and consult your pharmacist or doctor.
• You may use moisturising creams and lotions during treatment with Elidel but these products should not be used within two hours of applying Elidel.

•        For external use only- do not swallow and keep away from eyes.

•        Do not use the product if you are allergic (hypersensitive) or suspect allergy to any of the ingredients contained within it.

•        Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using Elidel:

•        If you have liver failure.

•        If you have any skin malignancies (tumours) or if you have a weakened immune system (immuno-compromised) whatever the cause.

•        If you have an inherited skin barrier disease such as Netherton’s syndrome, lamellar ichthyosis (extensive scaling of the skin due to a thickening of the outer layer of the skin), or if you suffer from generalised erythroderma (inflammatory reddening and scaling of the entire skin).

•        If you have a cutaneous Graft Versus Host Disease (an immune reaction of the skin which is a common complication in patients who have undergone a bone marrow transplant).

•        If you have swollen lymph nodes at initiation of treatment. If your lymph nodes become swollen during treatment with Elidel, consult your doctor.

•        If you have infected lesions. Do not apply the ointment to infected lesions.

•        If you notice any change to the appearance of your skin, please inform your pharmacist or doctor.

•        Based on the results of long-term studies and experience, a link between Elidel ointment

treatment and the development of malignancies has not been confirmed, but definitive conclusions cannot be drawn.

•        Avoid exposing the skin to long periods of sunlight or artificial sunlight such as tanning beds. If you spend time outdoors after applying Elidel, use a sunscreen and wear loose fitting clothing that protects the skin from the sun. In addition, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice on other appropriate sun protection methods. If you are prescribed light therapy, inform your doctor that you are using Elidel as it is not recommended to use Elidel and light therapy at the same time.

•        If your pharmacist or doctor tells you to use Elidel twice weekly to keep your atopic dermatitis cleared, your condition should be reviewed by your pharmacist or doctor at least every 12 months, even if it remains under control. In children, maintenance treatment should be suspended after 12 months, to assess whether the need for continued treatment still exists.

•        It is recommended to use Elidel ointment at the lowest possible strength, at the lowest

frequency and for the shortest possible duration necessary. This decision should be based on

your pharmacist or doctor’s assessment of how your eczema responds to Elidel ointment.

•        Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.

•        While using Elidel, drinking alcohol may cause the skin or face to become flushed or red and feel hot.

Active Ingredients: Pimecrolimus 1%

Other Ingredients: Medium chain triglycerides, Oleyl alcohol, Propylene glycol (E 1520), Stearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Mono-and di-glycerides, Sodium cetostearyl sulphate, Benzyl alcohol, Citric acid anhydrous, Sodium hydroxide and Purified water.

All medications and products can potentially cause side effects- If they are severe, or are mild and do not improve, then you should speak to your pharmacist or doctor immediately. This list may not be exhaustive so please consult the patient information leaflet for the full list.


Very Common Side effects (affecting >10% of people): Burning sensation (these symptoms are usually mild to moderate and generally go away within one week of using Elidel)
Common Side effects (affecting 1%- 10% of people): Skin infections (folliculitis), Application site reactions (irritation, pruritus and erythema).