• 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 Protopic:
• 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 Protopic, 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 Protopic 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 Protopic, 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 Protopic as it is not recommended to use Protopic and light therapy at the same time.
• If your pharmacist or doctor tells you to use Protopic 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 Protopic 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 Protopic ointment.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.
• While using Protopic, drinking alcohol may cause the skin or face to become flushed or red and feel hot.
• Protopic contains butylhydroxytoluene (E321), which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis), or irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes.
