DRUG UPDATE ELIDEL ; Good Health

Everything you need to know about the most common and controversial drugs.

Q What is it?

A IT IS a steroid-free treatment for eczema. Introduced in the UK three years ago, it is a prescription only cream that is particularly useful for treating the face and neck, where steroids are most likely to cause side effects.

Q How does it work?

A ITS active ingredient is pimecrolimus, which blocks the production of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines that are produced by white blood cells as part of the immune response to allergy or irritation, resulting in inflamed, swollen and itchy skin.

Q What’s the controversy?

A THE U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned in March of a potential cancer risk from use of Elidel. It says Elidel should be used only for patients unresponsive to, or intolerant of, other treatments.

THE MAKER’S VIEW: Drug firm Novartis says: ‘Clinical trials since 1996 have demonstrated Elidel is not associated with an increased risk of malignancy.’

THE EXPERT’S VIEW: Richard Camp, professor of dermatology at Leicester University, says: ‘I think the FDA is being very cautious. In my view, the benefits outweigh any toxicity.’

National Eczema Society Helpline: 0870 241 3604.