• Do not use Elidel if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant as there are no sufficient studies to determine the safety of pimecrolimus (Elidel) in pregnant woman!
• Do not use Elidel if you are breast feeding!
• Do not use Elidel if you are allergic or hypersensitive to pimecrolimus or to any component of Elidel Cream: benzyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, citric acid, mono-and di-gycerides, oleyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium cetostearyl sulphate, sodium hydroxide, stearyl alcohol,  triglycerides and water.
• Do not use Elidel Cream on infected, weeping or oozing eczema lesions! People with eczema are prone to infections, especially staph and herpes.  Increased redness, pus-filled bumps (pustules), weeping of lesions are all early signs of infection.  Seek treatment from your physician to clear infection before commencing Elidel cream. 
• If eczema lesions become infected while on Elidel, discontinue use of Elidel and consult your physician immediately.
• If you think you have a viral infection of your skin like chicken pox or herpes or shingles do not apply Elidel on these areas.
• Do not use Elidel if you suffer from Netherton's Syndrome.
• Do not use Elidel if you have acute infectious mononucleosis.
• Do not use Elidel without direct physician supervision (not eligible for online consultation) if you have a compromised immune system.
• Elidel cream will not be prescribed to anyone under age 18 online.  For children under the age of 18 consult your pediatrician.

 WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS:

1. Avoid sun exposure, sun lamps, tanning booths and UVA and UVB photolight treatment while on Elidel. Do NOT sunbathe. Do  NOT use tanning beds or sun lamps. Elidel cream may enhance ultraviolet carcinogenicity based on animal studies, although no photoxicity in humans was observed.
2. Do not combine Elidel cream with any other topical mediations or skin products.  Continue to moisturize as usual, apply moisturizer after applying Elidel.
3. If while on Elidel treatment one develops lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph glands), it is imperative that you seek medical attention and determine the cause of the swollen glands and treat the underlying cause.
4. Elidel cream is for external use only!

The most common side effects of Elidel cream is a burning sensation or a feeling of warmth at the site of application.  This burning feeling is usually mild to moderate, occurring in the first 5 days of treatment and usually clears up in a few days.  See your doctor if an application site reaction is severe or persists for more than one week. 

Other common side effects include headache, and with long-term intermittent use, nasopharyngitis (common cold/stuffy nose), influenza, pharyngitis (sore throat), fever, viral infection and cough.   Some people may get herpes skin infections ( like cold sores, chicken pox or shingles), warts or swollen lymph nodes (glands).

Elidel cream may be associated with an increased risk of cutaneous infections, chicken pox, shingles, herpes simplex virus infection, or eczema herpeticum. Also Elidel  may accentuate the adverse effects of ultraviolet light on the skin. Therefore patients using Elidel cream  should avoid sunlight, sun lamps, tanning beds and treatment with UVA and UVB light.

If you have any concerns or and side effects continue or become a problem,  you should see your doctor. 

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION & INSTRUCTIONS:

Elidel cream is only to treat eczema, atopic dermatitis, that has been diagnosed by your doctor. Eczema is a chronic condition that can be controlled but not cured.  Elidel cream is a medical breakthrough because it is a safe and effective treatment that can be used intermittently on a long-term basis and can be used externally on any part of the body including hands, face and neck.

• Wash your hands thoroughly before applying Elidel.
• Use Elidel only on your skin. Apply a razor-thin layer of Elide to all areas of your body that your doctor has diagnosed as eczema twice a day. Cover the area completely and rub in gently and completely. A pea-sized amount usually covers an area about the size of a silver dollar. Treatment should be initiated at the first signs of redness and symptoms of itching.Treatment should be continued for one week after clearing of signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
• Elide should be applied twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart.
• Eczema sufferers always have dry skin and using moisturizers is very important.  Apply moisturizer after applying Elidel cream. 
• Allow your medication to penetrate thoroughly. Don't swim or bathe immediately after applying Elidel.
• Before applying Elide cream after a bath or shower, be sure your skin is completely dry.
• If your hands are not being treated, wash them with soap and water after applying Elidel.
• Do not cover the skin being treated with bandages, dressings, or wraps. However, you can wear normal clothing.
• While using Elidel, wear loose-fitting clothing that protects the affected area from the sun.
• Avoid direct sunlight, tanning salons, and phototherapy.
• Use Elidel ONLY on your skin, Do NOT swallow Elidel. Do NOT use ELIDEL in the eyes.
• Store Elidel at room temperature (59° to 86°F).
• If your condition worsens or you see no improvement after 6 weeks of treatment, contact your doctor!
Positive results are on the way: Elidel usually begins to provide relief from the symptoms of eczema within 1 to 3 weeks. Most people usually notice that the symptoms of itching relieved within one week. Stop using Elidel after the signs and symptoms of eczema disappear. When you stop using the medication, your eczema may return.  Elidel treatment should be initiated at the first signs and symptoms of a recurrence.