Protopic

What you should know before using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatrics

Some side effects may occur more or less often in children than they do in adult patients. This medicine has not been tested and should not be used in children under 2 years of age. Only the lower concentration of 0.03% tacrolimus ointment should be used in children 2 to 15 years of age.

Geriatric

Tacrolimus ointment has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Ziprasidone

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Chickenpox, existing or recent (including recent exposure) or
• Herpes simplex virus infections (skin blisters) or
• Varicella zoster virus infection (shingles)—Increased risk may be associated with these conditions.

• Immunocompromised patients (weakened immune system)—May cause serious problems; this medicine should not be used by these patients

• Kidney problems or
• Tendency to develop kidney problems—You should use this medicine with caution. It may cause your kidney problems to become worse.

• Precancerous condition of the skin or
• Skin cancer—You should not use this medicine.

• Skin infections, other—Safety is unknown

• Cancer of the lymph system—May increase risk in transplant patients receiving oral or injected immunosuppressant therapy and topical tacrolimus

• Netherton's syndrome—May cause too much of the tacrolimus to be absorbed into the body