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Safety and efficacy of topical tacrolimus in steroid-treated patients with atopic dermatitis

A subset analysis was conducted of three 6-week multicenter, randomized, single-blind trials of topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients previously treated with corticosteroids. The subset comprised 347 adults and children; pediatric patients with mild AD were randomized to tacrolimus 0.03% ointment or pimecrolimus 1% cream. Pediatric patients with moderate-severe AD and adults with mild-severe AD were randomized to tacrolimus 0.1% ointment or pimecrolimus 1% cream. In total, 171 patients were randomized to tacrolimus and 176 to pimecrolimus. Based on the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), tacrolimus was superior to pimecrolimus in AD patients with prior corticosteroid use (53.2% vs. 33.7%, respectively; p=0.0002). Tacrolimus was more effective at study end ...