Topical Pimecrolimus or Tacrolimus
Recent studies have shown that topical pimecrolimus or tacrolimus can treat vitiligo. The drug works by inhibiting the T-cells’ antigen-presenting function, which reduces the autoimmune attack on the pigment-producing cells in the skin.
The first human trials of pimecrolimus were conducted in 2003. The study consisted of 70 patients who applied pimecrolimus to their skin lesions twice daily for six months. Researchers found that lesion size decreased by an average of 32 percent. The most common side effect was burning or stinging at the application site.
Another study looked at 50 patients who applied tacrolimus cream to lesions twice a day for two years. They found that lesion area decreased from 7 percent to 4 percent, and pigmentation improved in 80 percent of the patients.
Pimecrolimus is available in Canada under the brand name Elidel for atopic dermatitis and can be prescribed off-label for vitiligo. Tacrolimus is available under Protopic for psoriasis and can be prescribed for the same purpose.
