FAQ
Below is a list of questions frequently asked by physicians in the United States. If you have any questions that are not listed here, please contact Medical Information at medical.information@us.astellas.com or call 1-800-727-7003.
Who is an appropriate patient for Protopic Ointment?
Can I use Protopic Ointment on children?
What should I tell my patients?
How can I assist patients who would like more information on Protopic Ointment?
Is Astellas conducting any other studies with Protopic Ointment?
Who is an appropriate patient for Protopic Ointment?
Protopic is indicated:- For the short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD)
- As second-line therapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to other topical prescription treatments for AD or when those treatments are not advisable
- In non-immunocompromised adults and children
- For children aged 2 to 15 years only in the Protopic Ointment 0.03% concentration
- For adults aged 16 years and older in the Protopic Ointment 0.03% and 0.1% concentrations
- Protopic is not indicated for children younger than 2 years of age
Can I use Protopic Ointment on children?
Protopic Ointment 0.03% is indicated for children aged 2 to 15 years. Protopic is not indicated for children younger than 2 years of age.
What should I tell my patients?
It is important that patients know that Protopic Ointment, like any medication, has potential risks as well as benefits, and the long-term safety of topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) has not been established beyond 1 year. Among the 2.1 million patients treated with Protopic in the United States and the more than 5.4 million patients treated worldwide,4 rare cases of malignancy (e.g., skin and lymphoma) have been reported, although a causal relationship has not been established.
Patients should understand that when other prescription drugs are inadvisable, Protopic remains an important and approved option in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Appropriate use should be emphasized.
How can I assist patients who would like more information on Protopic Ointment?
For more information on Protopic, patients can visit the Protopic consumer Web site at www.protopic.com. Medication Guides and other educational counseling tools will be available from your Astellas sales representative.
For information on eczema and treatment options, patients can be directed to the following Web sites:
www.nationaleczema.org—The National Eczema Association (NEA). The NEA can also be reached by phone at 1-800-818-7546.
www.aad.org—The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The AAD can also be reached by phone at 1-866-503-SKIN (7546).
www.isdionline.org—The Inflammatory Skin Disease Institute (ISDI) focuses on patient education and public awareness.
www.skincarephysicians.com—This Web site provides information on the treatment of skin disorders.
www.dnanurse.org—The Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA) promotes excellence in dermatologic care.
Is Astellas conducting any other studies with Protopic Ointment?
Astellas continues to assess the safety and efficacy of Protopic. For more information about participating in "A Prospective Pediatric Longitudinal Evaluation Study" (APPLESTM), a long-term study to evaluate outcome in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who have been treated with Protopic, call 1-877-277-7530.