Protopic (Tacrolimus) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 21, 2012

Protopic

Allergy Drugs: Prescription and OTC »

Allergy medications overview

The arsenal of allergy drugs includes dozens of medications that relieve allergy symptoms when confronted with a trigger known as an allergen. That trigger could be something from a plant, such as pollen, or something from an animal (pet dander, dust mites, cockroaches). Other allergy triggers include certain fragrances or chemical substances.

What causes a person's allergic reaction is highly individual. But the reactions are often universal: swelling and inflammation, especially around the eyes, nose, and throat, usually accompanied by itching.

Some allergy medications work against the effects of histamines, which are released during an allergic reaction. Other medications reduce swelling, affect the immune system, or affect release of other substances associated with allergic reactions.

Many allergy drugs are available without a prescription.

For what conditions are allergy medicatio...

Read the Allergy Drugs: Prescription and OTC article »

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PROTOPIC®
(tacrolimus) Ointment 0.03% and Ointment 0.1%

See BOXED WARNING concerning long-term safety of topical calcineurin inhibitors

DRUG DESCRIPTION

PROTOPIC (tacrolimus) Ointment contains tacrolimus, a macrolide immunosuppressant produced by Streptomyces tsukubaensis. It is for topical dermatologic use only. Chemically, tacrolimus is designated as [3S[3R*[E(1S*,3S*,4S*)],4S*,5R*,8S*,9E,12R*,14R*,15S*,16R*,18S*,19S*,26aR*]]5,6,8,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,24,25,26,26a-hexadecahydro-5,19-dihydroxy3-[2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxycyclohexyl)-1-methylethenyl]-14,16-dimethoxy-4,10, 12,18-tetramethyl-8-(2-propenyl)-15,19-epoxy-3H-pyrido[2,1-c][1,4] oxaazacyclotricosine-1,7,20,21(4H,23H)-tetrone,monohydrate. It has the following structural formula:

PROTOPIC® (tacrolimus) Structural Formula Illustration

Tacrolimus has an empirical formula of C₄₄H₆₉NO₁₂•H₂O and a formula weight of 822.03. Each gram of PROTOPIC Ointment contains (w/w) either 0.03% or 0.1% of tacrolimus in a base of mineral oil, paraffin, propylene carbonate, white petrolatum and white wax.

What are the possible side effects of tacrolimus topical (Protopic)?

Stop using tacrolimus and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using tacrolimus and call your doctor if you have:

worsened skin symptoms;
signs of a skin infection (redness, swelling, itching, oozing);
swollen glands; or
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue using tacrolimus and...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Protopic »

What are the precautions when taking tacrolimus (Protopic)?

Before using tacrolimus, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other macrolide medications (e.g., sirolimus, erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: swollen lymph nodes (e.g., lymphadenopathy, mononucleosis), use of light therapy (e.g., UVA or UVB), skin or other cancers.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: skin infections (e.g., herpes, shingles), other skin...

Read All Potential Precautions of Protopic »

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/19/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.