pimecrolimus
Brand names: Elidel
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.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$9.49/unit
Generic Price
$2.54/unit
Generic Savings
73%
Generic Available
Yes (2 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This cream treats mild to moderate eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis.
Common side effects
Burning feeling on the skin where you put the cream, Headache, Runny nose
Key warnings
Using this medicine for a long time may have risks.
How It Works
Pimecrolimus cream is a calcineurin inhibitor. It works by reducing inflammation in the skin. This helps to relieve itching and rash caused by eczema.
How to Take It
Apply a thin layer of the cream to the affected skin twice a day. Stop using the cream when your eczema symptoms are gone. If your symptoms do not improve after 6 weeks, talk to your doctor. Do not use this cream for a long time.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
Apply the cream as soon as you remember. Then, continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store the cream at room temperature and do not freeze it.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 1,239 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 1,541 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
1,541
Death-Related Reports
21
Hospitalization Reports
183
Top Indication
Dermatitis Atopic
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 229 |
| 2 | DERMATITIS ATOPIC | 178 |
| 3 | RASH | 169 |
| 4 | PRURITUS | 160 |
| 5 | PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION | 118 |
| 6 | OFF LABEL USE | 94 |
| 7 | ECZEMA | 80 |
| 8 | DRY SKIN | 79 |
| 9 | ERYTHEMA | 68 |
| 10 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 64 |
| 11 | SKIN EXFOLIATION | 64 |
| 12 | INJECTION SITE PAIN | 63 |
| 13 | PAIN | 60 |
| 14 | PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE | 57 |
| 15 | SLEEP DISORDER DUE TO A GENERAL MEDICAL CONDITION | 55 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
Some examples of such drugs are erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, calcium channel blockers and cimetidine.
Mechanism: Ketoconazole can slow down how your body breaks down pimecrolimus, which might lead to higher levels of the medicine in your blood. This happens because ketoconazole blocks the natural proteins that clear the drug from your system.
What to do: Use this combination with caution. Your doctor may want to monitor you for any side effects while using both medications.
Some examples of such drugs are erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, calcium channel blockers and cimetidine.
Mechanism: Fluconazole interferes with the way your body processes pimecrolimus, potentially causing the drug to stay in your system longer. This is because fluconazole stops the enzymes that normally get rid of the medicine.
What to do: Talk to your doctor before using these together. They may need to check for signs that you are getting too much pimecrolimus.
Some examples of such drugs are erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, calcium channel blockers and cimetidine.
Mechanism: Erythromycin can block the enzymes in your body that break down pimecrolimus. This can cause the amount of pimecrolimus in your body to increase.
What to do: Be careful when using these two drugs at the same time. Your healthcare provider might need to watch you more closely for side effects.
Some examples of such drugs are erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, calcium channel blockers and cimetidine.
Mechanism: Itraconazole stops the body from clearing pimecrolimus as quickly as it should. This can lead to higher-than-normal levels of pimecrolimus in your bloodstream.
What to do: Consult your doctor if you need to take both medications. They will decide if any changes to your treatment are necessary.
Some examples of such drugs are erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, calcium channel blockers and cimetidine.
Mechanism: Cimetidine can slow down the process your body uses to get rid of pimecrolimus. This might cause pimecrolimus to build up in your system.
What to do: Let your doctor know if you are taking cimetidine while using pimecrolimus. They may monitor you to ensure the combination is safe for you.
Common Questions
Can I use this cream on my baby?
How long can I use this cream?
What should I do if my eczema gets worse?
Can I use a bandage over the cream?
Can I use this cream if I have a skin infection?
Can I get a sunburn while using this cream?
What should I do if I accidentally swallow some of the cream?
Can I use other creams or lotions with this medicine?
Is it okay to use this cream if I have a weak immune system?
How often should I apply this cream?
What are the common side effects of pimecrolimus?
Does pimecrolimus interact with other medications?
What drug class is pimecrolimus?
Is there a generic version of pimecrolimus?
Is pimecrolimus safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Calcineurin Inhibitor (Topical)
Other drugs grouped near pimecrolimus — same-class peers and common alternatives.
adapalene
Differin
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel is a medicine used on the skin to treat acne.
Compare with pimecrolimus →
apremilast
Otezla
Apremilast (Otezla/Otezla XR) is a medicine that can help adults and children manage psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
Compare with pimecrolimus →
azelaic acid
Finacea, Azelex
Azelaic acid gel is a topical medicine that helps treat rosacea.
Compare with pimecrolimus →
benzoyl peroxide
Benzac, PanOxyl
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medicine that fights germs on your skin.
Compare with pimecrolimus →
betamethasone
Diprosone, Luxiq
Betamethasone dipropionate cream is a strong steroid medicine used on the skin.
Compare with pimecrolimus →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
🩺 Find a Doctor
Search prescribers for Calcineurin Inhibitor (Topical)
🏨 Hospital Quality
CMS hospital ratings, safety scores & patient outcomes
💊 Supplement Data
NIH DSLD — check supplement ingredients & label claims
🍽️ Food Safety Alerts
FDA recalls, inspections & outbreak investigations
⚠️ Product Recalls
FDA, CPSC & NHTSA recall search
💉 Procedure Costs
Medicare procedure pricing for 9,297 procedures
Save on pimecrolimus
Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.
Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.
What the FDA Data Shows for pimecrolimus
The FDA label for pimecrolimus (sold under brand names such as Elidel) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Calcineurin Inhibitor (Topical) class. This cream treats mild to moderate eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Burning feeling on the skin where you put the cream, Headache, Runny nose.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 1,239 voluntary reports. The database also lists 5 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $2.54 versus $9.49 for the brand — a 73% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: September 30, 2020
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages