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Topical Preparations: Calcineurin Inhibitors

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology

  • 246 Accesses

Synonyms

Anti-inflammatory agent; Immunosuppressant agent; Topical skin product

Definition

Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) are immunomodulatory preparations designed to suppress local immune-related reactions. Due to this mechanism of action, TCIs are approved for use in atopic dermatitis (AD) as second-line therapy (Astellas Pharma US, Inc 2012; Novartis Pharma Produktions GmbH 2011; Schneider et al. 2013). TCIs are often utilized in patients who have altered sensitivity to or poor therapeutic response with corticosteroid related treatment. In comparison to corticosteroids, TCIs can be used on most skin surface areas of the body as application does not result in skin atrophy and thinning (Schneider et al. 2013; Frankel and Qureshi 2012). Studies support the safety and efficacy of TCIs for treatment of AD; however, TCIs have not been studied in patients receiving treatment for greater than 1 year. Therefore, caution is warranted for long-term treatment of AD with TCIs.

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References

  • Abramovits W, Fleischer Jr AB, Jaracz E, et al. Adult patients with moderate atopic dermatitis: tacrolimus ointment verus pimecrolimus cream. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008;7(12):1153–8.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research, University of South Florida, College of Pharmacy, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Kamila Dell & Gwendolyn Wantuch

  2. The University of South Florida College of Pharmacy, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 30, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Nathan Seligson

Authors
  1. Kamila Dell
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  2. Gwendolyn Wantuch
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  3. Nathan Seligson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamila Dell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Ian R. Mackay

  2. Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Noel R. Rose

  3. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

    Dennis K. Ledford

  4. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

    Richard F. Lockey

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Dell, K., Wantuch, G., Seligson, N. (2014). Topical Preparations: Calcineurin Inhibitors. In: Mackay, I.R., Rose, N.R., Ledford, D.K., Lockey, R.F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_247

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_247

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-9193-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9194-1

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