pimecrolimus vs tacrolimus topical
Side-by-side comparison of pimecrolimus and tacrolimus topical Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Elidel
Protopic
Pimecrolimus cream (Elidel) is a medicine that can help with eczema. It is used when other treatments have not worked well enough or are not a good choice for you.
Tacrolimus extended-release capsules help prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients. It works by suppressing your immune system.
This cream treats mild to moderate eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. You can use it if other creams or medicines have not worked for you. It is for adults and children who are at least 2 years old and whose immune system works normally.
This medicine is used to prevent your body from rejecting a new kidney after a transplant. It is for adult patients who can swallow capsules whole. You will take it with other medicines that also suppress your immune system.
Pimecrolimus cream is a calcineurin inhibitor. It works by reducing inflammation in the skin. This helps to relieve itching and rash caused by eczema.
Tacrolimus belongs to a class of drugs called calcineurin inhibitors. It lowers the activity of your immune system. This helps prevent your body from attacking your new kidney.
- • Burning feeling on the skin where you put the cream
- • Headache
- • Runny nose
- • Cough
- • Flu
- • Diarrhea
- • Constipation
- • Nausea
- • Swelling in your arms and legs
- • Tremors
- The medicine did not work 229
- Eczema 178
- Skin rash 169
- Itching 160
- Using the medicine for a condition it is not approved for 118
No adverse event reports.
Using this medicine for a long time may have risks. In rare cases, some people using similar medicines have gotten cancer, like skin cancer or lymphoma. Do not use this cream on children under 2 years old.
This medicine can increase your risk of serious infections and certain cancers. These problems could lead to hospitalization or even death. This drug is not approved for liver transplants and may increase the risk of death in female liver transplant patients.
If you are pregnant, only use this cream if the benefit is greater than the risk to your baby. Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Tacrolimus can harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. There is a pregnancy registry to track outcomes in women who take tacrolimus during pregnancy.
How to Read This pimecrolimus vs tacrolimus topical Comparison
pimecrolimus is classified in the Calcineurin Inhibitor (Topical) drug class, while tacrolimus topical sits within the Calcineurin Inhibitor (Topical) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, pimecrolimus has 854 submissions while tacrolimus topical has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between pimecrolimus and tacrolimus topical — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.