eczema rash treatment
Medication For eczema carcinogenic
Astellas Pharma U.S., Inc., manufacturer of Protopic (tacrolimus) is now facing several lawsuits that the substance can cause cancer. Protopic has been on the market in the last five years as a topical medicine for eczema. Since its launch, both Protopic and Elidel like substance (pimecrolimus) prescribed to 7.5 million people, including children. Elidel is manufactered by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Both Protopic and Elidel was marketed as an effective and safe medication for people with moderate eczema. After all, both these drugs steroid free and is considered as suitable alternatives to corticosteroids (traditional method for treatment of eczema).
Protopic and Elidel in the same way, can control the symptoms of eczema, which include redness, itching and inflammation. They can be used in almost all parts of the body, including in the neck and face. The recommended use of these creams were about two times a day for six weeks or as directed by your doctor.
But since early January 2006, these drugs made familiar with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of potential carcinogens. It is addressed to manufacturers of Elidel and Protopic to add a black box warning in their product label of possible risks.
There are now reported cases of skin cancer due to use of Protopic as an eczema treatment. More people now realize that Protopic and Elidel classified as immunosuppressant. This simply means that any person using this medication is exposed to a range of diseases including cancer, because imune is relatively weakened.
Traci Reilly of Naperville in the U.S. believe that the two widely prescribed medications may be responsible for her breast cancer. She first developed a lump in her right breast, which was the precise area where she was using the drug.
Reilly had spent both Protopic and Elidel. She was prescribed these drugs when she was hit of a condition called vitiligo, which showed small patches of discolored skin on her body.
Vitiligo, a type of skin disease, might as well be the first sign of skin cancer. It is characterized by loss of skin pigmentation and can leave a milky white stain on the skin. (If you use Elidel or Protopic for eczema pain and observe the kind of symptom, stopped the medication and contact your doctor immediately. )
There has also been reported cases of lymphoma, which allegedly caused by Elidel. Lymphoma is a form of cancer in tissues or lymph modes. Elaine Eklund had used Elidel to treat a rash on her facial expressions area and two weeks later she noticed a lump on her neck. She is confident that Elidel is the cause of her lymphoma.
Tom Moore, an author of several books with the pharmaceutical industry argues there should have been warnings from the start. In all these cases came the warning from the FDA too late.
He studied about 1,200 cases of suspected drug injuries for Protopic and Elidel reported to the FDA during 2005. Moore found more than 100 potential cancer cases in children and adults, although he believed that the figures should be higher as many cases go unreported. Most of the 100 potential cases involving lymphoma or skin cancer, although it can be concluded that they are all directly connected with drugs.
Moore also cited an animal study involving monkeys that received high doses of tacrolimus. The monkeys developed cancer after receiving the oral form of Protopic. Together with other studies, it was concluded that the higher dose of Protopic is used, the higher rates of cancer was. These studies, together with more reported cases of drug-related harm, prompted the FDA to issue the need for the black box warning.
Research laboratories are now studying several Cases involving the use of Protopic and Elidel. Still, such human studies can be as FDA pointed out, take ten years or more. At present the best that you refrain from using these drugs for eczema. Therefore, if you want to continue to use Protopic or Elidel, so be aware of the risks of cancer and discuss your options thoroughly with your doctor. In any case, you are strongly advised not to use these substances if you have a weak immune system or for babies or children under 2 years old.
About the Author
Evelyn Lim, an eczema sufferer, researches on eczema natural treatment and reviews natural skin care products. For free tips, please visit her site at http://www.eczematreatmentsecrets.com.
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