Efficacy and Safety of Topically Applied Tacrolimus Ointment

Atopic dermatitis (AD), which can produceextreme itching, is an inflammatory skin disor-der with childhood onset and a chronically relapsing course.(1) A variety of treatment methods have been used, but no entirely satisfactory treatment exists for AD. Topical agents for treating AD, directed at con-trolling the predominant symptoms (e.g., erythema and pruritus), include the liberal use of emollients, corticosteroids, coal tar preparations, antibiotics, and antihistamines.(1-3) Topical corticosteroid treatment has been the mainstay in AD therapy and has gener-ally been well tolerated.(1) However, long-term use of potent topical steroids is known to cause a variety of side effects, including skin atrophy, atrophic stri-ae, purpura, rosacea-like eruptions, exacerbation of acne, glaucoma, and dermatophyte infections at th