Protopic 0.1% Ointment

Protopic 0.1% 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. Protopic 0.1% ointment 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 Protopic 0.03% Ointment and Protopic 0.1% Ointment?

We would initially recommend using the higher 0.1% strength of Protopic until your skin flare is under control, and then, if possible, you can move on to the lower strength (0.03%) to keep it at bay. If you have particularly sensitive skin, then you may want to start with the lower strength as it may be less likely to cause the common side effects that we often see in the first 1 week of use (mild itch and irritation).

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

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 Protopic but these products should not be used within two hours of applying Protopic.

•        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. 

Active Ingredients: Tacrolimus 0.1%

Other Ingredients: White soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, propylene carbonate, white beeswax, hard paraffin, butylhydroxytoluene (E321) and all-rac-α-tocopherol.

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 and itching (these symptoms are usually mild to moderate and generally go away within one week of using Protopic)
Common Side effects (affecting 1%- 10% of people): Redness, feeling of warmth, pain, increased skin sensitivity (especially to hot and cold), skin tingling, rash, local skin infection regardless of specific cause including but not limited to: inflamed or infected hair follicles, cold sores, generalised herpes simplex infections, facial flushing or skin irritation after drinking alcohol is also common.
Uncommon Side effects (affecting 0.1%-1% of people): Acne