Elidel 10 mg/g cream – pimecrolimus for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Elidel is a corticosteroid-free cream containing pimecrolimus (10 mg per 1 g of cream). It acts on the skin cells that cause the inflammation, redness and itching typical of atopic dermatitis (eczema).

According to the leaflet, Elidel is used to treat the signs and symptoms of mild to moderate eczema in children aged 2 years and over, adolescents and adults – only when other prescribed medicines and emollients have not worked or when your doctor recommends not using other medicines. Used at the first signs, it can help prevent the disease from progressing to a severe form.

What is Elidel cream used for and how is it applied correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Elidel used for?

Elidel cream specifically treats skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis (eczema). According to the leaflet, it is used to treat the signs and symptoms of mild to moderate eczema (e.g. redness and itching) in children aged 2 years and over, adolescents and adults:

• when other prescribed medicines and emollients (moisturising creams) have not worked, or
• when your doctor recommends that other medicines should not be used.

Use at the early signs and symptoms can prevent the disease from progressing to a severe form. Elidel is not used for other skin conditions.

How is it applied and dosed?

The cream is applied twice daily, for example morning and evening, and can be used on all areas of skin, including the head, face, neck and skin folds.

• Wash and dry your hands; on first use pierce the tube seal with the spike on top of the cap.
• Apply a thin layer only to the areas affected by eczema, cover the affected area completely and rub in gently and completely.
• Moisturising creams (emollients) can be used with Elidel – apply them immediately after Elidel.
• Do not bathe, shower or swim right after application, as the cream may be washed off.
• Do not cover treated skin with dressings, bandages or clothing that acts like a dressing; you may wear normal clothes.

Long-term use should be intermittent, not continuous: stop as soon as the eczema has cleared and start again as soon as you notice the first signs (redness and itching). If there is no improvement after 6 weeks or the eczema worsens, stop treatment and consult your doctor.

Special patient groups

• Children aged 2 to 11 and adolescents: the dosage and method of use are the same as for adults.
• Children under 2 years: use is not recommended – the medicine is not approved for this age group.
• Weakened immune system: talk to your doctor before use, whatever the cause of the immunocompromise.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Do not use Elidel if you are allergic to pimecrolimus or any of the ingredients.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before use if you have a weakened immune system, erythroderma (redness of almost all of the skin), Netherton syndrome or any skin tumour.

• Skin infections: do not apply the cream to skin with an active viral infection (herpes simplex, chickenpox). If the skin becomes infected, your doctor will treat the infection first; during treatment Elidel may be associated with an increased risk of severe herpes infection (eczema herpeticum) – report painful sores anywhere on the body to your doctor immediately.
• Application site reactions: a feeling of warmth or burning is common, usually mild and short-lived; report any severe reaction to your doctor immediately.
• Sun: avoid excessive exposure to sun, sunlamps and sunbeds; outdoors wear loose clothing, use sunscreen and limit time in the sun.
• Lymph nodes: if your lymph nodes swell during treatment, tell your doctor.
• External use: if the cream gets into the nose, eyes or mouth, wipe it off and rinse with clean water; take care not to swallow it.
• Excipients: cetyl and stearyl alcohol may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis), benzyl alcohol allergic reactions and mild irritation, and propylene glycol (E 1520) skin irritation.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, including non-prescription ones. Interactions with other medicines are unlikely, but according to the leaflet:

• application at a vaccination site is not recommended while local reactions persist; with widespread eczema, treatment should be stopped before vaccination, as advised by your doctor;
• Elidel should not be used at the same time as phototherapy (UVA, PUVA, UVB) or with systemic immunosuppressants (e.g. azathioprine, ciclosporin).

In rare cases, flushing, rash, burning, itching or swelling may occur shortly after drinking alcohol.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: Elidel should not be used during pregnancy; if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, consult your doctor.
• Breast-feeding: it is not known whether pimecrolimus passes into breast milk after application to the skin – if you are breast-feeding, do not apply the cream to the breasts.

Driving and using machines

Elidel cream has no influence on the ability to drive or use machines.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects are application site reactions – usually mild to moderate, occurring at the start of treatment and short-lived.

• Serious reactions – stop using the cream and contact your doctor urgently: angioedema (rare) – itching, hives, swelling of the throat, tongue, eyes and lips, difficulty breathing and swallowing; anaphylactic reaction (very rare).
• Very common (more than 1 in 10): feeling of warmth and/or burning at the application site.
• Common (up to 1 in 10): irritation, itching and redness at the application site; skin infection (e.g. folliculitis).
• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): impetigo, herpes simplex, shingles, eczema herpeticum, skin papilloma, molluscum contagiosum, warts and boils; rash, pain, stinging, mild peeling, dryness, swelling and worsening of eczema at the application site.
• Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): facial flushing, rash, burning, itching or swelling shortly after alcohol; changes in skin colour (darker or lighter skin).
• Cases of malignancy, including lymphomas and skin cancers, as well as enlarged lymph nodes have been reported in patients using Elidel; a link with the treatment has not been established.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Too much cream: simply wipe off the excess.
• Accidental swallowing: if you or someone else accidentally swallows the cream, tell your doctor.
• Missed dose: apply the cream as soon as you remember and continue as usual; if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not apply extra cream.
• Stopping: Elidel is stopped when the eczema clears and restarted at the first signs; if there is no improvement after 6 weeks, see your doctor.

Related information

For everyday care of dry and atopic skin, see also the category Eczema and psoriasis – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed for you.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: pimecrolimus – 10 mg per 1 g of cream.
• Excipients: medium-chain triglycerides; oleyl alcohol; propylene glycol (E 1520); stearyl alcohol; cetyl alcohol; glyceryl monostearate; sodium cetostearyl sulfate; benzyl alcohol; anhydrous citric acid; sodium hydroxide; purified water. 1 g of cream contains 10 mg benzyl alcohol and 50 mg propylene glycol.
• Pack: aluminium tube with protective inner lacquer and screw cap, 15 g or 30 g, in a carton.
• Manufacturer: Meda Manufacturing, Avenue J.F. Kennedy, 33700 Mérignac, France. Marketing authorisation holder according to the 2020 leaflet: Predstavništvo BGP Products Switzerland GmbH Belgrade; according to the ALIMS transfer list dated 14.07.2021: Viatris Healthcare d.o.o., Belgrade.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C; do not freeze. Keep the tube tightly closed, out of the sight and reach of children.
• Shelf life: 2 years; once the tube is opened, use within 12 months.
• Do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

Does Elidel contain corticosteroids?

No. Elidel contains pimecrolimus and no steroids; it acts on the skin cells that cause inflammation, redness and itching in eczema.

Can Elidel be applied to the face and in children?

Yes – according to the leaflet, the cream can be applied to all areas of skin, including the face, neck and folds, in children aged 2 years and over and adults. It is not recommended for children under 2.

May I use a moisturiser with Elidel?

Yes. Emollients can be used with Elidel and are applied immediately after it.

Why does my skin burn after applying Elidel?

A feeling of warmth or burning at the application site is a very common side effect, usually mild and short-lived, at the start of treatment. If the reaction is strong or does not settle, contact your doctor.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, Elidel® 10 mg/g cream (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Patient leaflet, Elidel® 10 mg/g cream (PIL, May 2020, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.