Tacrolimus ointment (Protopic®)

Recommended for restricted use within NHS Scotland.

REASONS FOR ADVICE.

Tacrolimus offers a treatment option for adults with atopic dermatitis intolerant of or unresponsive to conventional treatments, and for children aged 2 years or over who are unresponsive to conventional topical therapies. It is a potent immunosuppressant which can be absorbed systemically following topical application, and there are unresolved concerns about possible adverse effects arising from this.

Its use should therefore be considered prior to oral therapy when it is deemed that other appropriate options for topical therapy have been exhausted. Its use should be initiated and supervised by dermatologists within secondary care who have experience of treating atopic dermatitis using immunomodulatory therapy. In order to facilitate future investigation of long-term effects of the use of tacrolimus ointment, it is advised that a register of recipients should be established and maintained.