In a second group of 30 pediatric patients aged 3-23 months with 10%-92% BSA involvement, following twice daily application for three weeks, blood concentrations of pimecrolimus were < 2.6 ng/mL with 65% (75/116) of the blood samples having blood concentration below 0.5ng/mL, and 27% (31/116) below the limit of quantification (0.1 ng/mL) for these studies.

Overall, a higher proportion of detectable blood levels was seen in the pediatric patient population as compared to adult population. This increase in the absolute number of positive blood levels may be due to the larger surface area to body mass ratio seen in these younger subjects. In addition, a higher incidence of upper respiratory symptoms/infections was also seen relative to the older age group in the PK studies. At this time, a causal relationship between these findings and ELIDEL use cannot be ruled out.

ELIDEL Cream is not indicated for use in children less than 2 years of age (see INDICATIONS, WARNINGS, boxed WARNING, and PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use).

Renal Insufficiency

The effect of renal insufficiency on the pharmacokinetics of topically administered pimecrolimus has not been evaluated but dose-adjustment is not expected to be needed as 80% of the drug is excreted in the feces.

Hepatic Insufficiency

The effect of hepatic insufficiency on the pharmacokinetics of topically administered pimecrolimus has not been evaluated but dose-adjustment is not expected to be needed.

Clinical Studies

Three randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, multi-center, Phase 3 studies were conducted in 589 pediatric patients ages 3 months-17 years old to evaluate ELIDEL® (pimecrolimus) Cream 1% for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. Two of the three trials support the use of ELIDEL Cream in patients 2 years and older with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (see PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use). Three other trials in 1,619 pediatric and adult patients provided additional data regarding the safety of ELIDEL Cream in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Two of these other trials were vehicle-controlled with optional sequential use of a medium potency topical corticosteroid in pediatric patients and one trial was an active comparator trial in adult patients with atopic dermatitis (see PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use and ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Two identical 6-week, randomized, vehicle-controlled, multi-center, Phase 3 trials were conducted to evaluate ELIDEL Cream for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. A total of 403 pediatric patients 2-17 years old were included in the studies. The male/female ratio was approximately 50% and 29% of the patients were African American. At study entry, 59% of patients had moderate disease and the mean body surface area (BSA) affected was 26%. About 75% of patients had atopic dermatitis affecting the face and/or neck region. In these studies, patients applied either ELIDEL Cream or vehicle cream twice daily to 5% to 96% of their BSA for up to 6 weeks. At endpoint, based on the physician's global evaluation of clinical response, 35% of patients treated with ELIDEL Cream were clear or almost clear of signs of atopic dermatitis compared to only 18% of vehicle-treated patients. More ELIDEL patients (57%) had mild or no pruritus at 6 weeks compared to vehicle patients (34%). The improvement in pruritus occurred in conjunction with the improvement of the patients' atopic dermatitis.

In these two 6-week studies of ELIDEL, the combined efficacy results at endpoint are as follows:

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