Protopic (Tacrolimus) Ointment available in Ireland?

Supercell

I've been reading about this online and as a non steroidal topical treatment for excema it seems to be to be a very promising development.

Can my GP prescribe this here or is it €50 euro wasted to be told it's not available here?

If anyone has any experiences with this compared to say Betnovate or Dermovate would love to hear it, in particular like the fact this its suposedly ok to use on the face which is not recommended with Betnovate or Dermovate (but sometimes unavoidable unfortunately) .

Thanks.

DrIndy

to the best of my knowledge it is available, but due to the cost of it and that it is new, its restricted normally to resistant eczema or for use in children where it is best to avoid all steroids if possible. Dermatologists normally are the only ones who prescribe it.

Supercell

Thanks DrIndy, I'll discuss it with my GP next time i'm in there.

Pyjamarama

Longfield wrote: »

I've been reading about this online and as a non steroidal topical treatment for excema it seems to be to be a very promising development.

Can my GP prescribe this here or is it €50 euro wasted to be told it's not available here?

If anyone has any experiences with this compared to say Betnovate or Dermovate would love to hear it, in particular like the fact this its suposedly ok to use on the face which is not recommended with Betnovate or Dermovate (but sometimes unavoidable unfortunately) .

Thanks.

Hi Longfield,

I was just wondering if you ever got this cream? I practically begged my GP to prescribe me something steroid free and instead got another prescription for Betnovate, I can't afford to keep going to different doctors only to be given the same cream that doesn't work again and again Why is there a reluctance to prescribe a cream that doesn't to irreparable damage to your skin? :mad:

tallaght01

hi Pyjamarama,

I have been involved with the use of both tacrolimus and pimecrolimus (it's brother).

In the UK there are a group of dermatoogists who have come up with guidlines for using these drugs.

Their recommendations are that they don't get used by any doctors other than those who have a special interest in dermatology.

Also, they shouldn't be used until the patient has had the maximum dose of steroid or whatever other treatment the patient is on.

Also, it's important to remember that these drugs should only be given short term.

The reason for this is that their safety hasn't been fully evaluated. Until we have a better idea of their safety profile, then we need to be careful about prescribing them.

I'm not saying this in order to tell you what to do. Only your prescriber can make these decisions with you.

I'm just posting so you don't give your GP a hard time. These drugs may carry significant side effects, and your GP has to take that into account aswell.

Hope you find a solution though.

Pyjamarama

tallaght01 wrote: »

hi Pyjamarama,

I have been involved with the use of both tacrolimus and pimecrolimus (it's brother).

In the UK there are a group of dermatoogists who have come up with guidlines for using these drugs.

Their recommendations are that they don't get used by any doctors other than those who have a special interest in dermatology.

Also, they shouldn't be used until the patient has had the maximum dose of steroid or whatever other treatment the patient is on.

Also, it's important to remember that these drugs should only be given short term.

The reason for this is that their safety hasn't been fully evaluated. Until we have a better idea of their safety profile, then we need to be careful about prescribing them.

I'm not saying this in order to tell you what to do. Only your prescriber can make these decisions with you.

I'm just posting so you don't give your GP a hard time. These drugs may carry significant side effects, and your GP has to take that into account aswell.

Hope you find a solution though.

Hi tallaght01, thanks for this information (it is more than any of the numerous doctors I've been to has ever given me!). Doctors just never seem bothered to explain this they just say no and hand me a prescription for steroid cream. I have been using steroid cream for 7 years. Steroid creams are also not meant to be used in the long term but I'm never offered an alternative despite using it for a very long time. Surely it's hardly healthy to use cream that thins your skin for this amount of time (I'd see this as a major side effect)?! When I voice these concerns doctors are very dismissive (it's the only option there is, deal with it type attitude) which is infuriating when there are other options.

I've stopped using steroid cream for the sake of my skin in the long term. I will see what a skin specialist doctor can offer me.

Thanks again

tallaght01

well, it's not really a drug that GPs use at the moment, so they may not have a lot of info on it. Plus, like I said, it's only supposed to be used when maximum steroid treatment has failed.

But, it seems that you've been referred to a dermatologist, so you'll be able to get your answers there.

Let us know how you get on.

Good luck

becah

Hey there, I've had been using topical steroids for the treatment of eczema since I was a child, and it was only when I went to a dermatologist that I was prescribed Protopic.
My eczema would not be described as very serious, but it was been persistant for a number of years and nothing helped until I started using Protopic.
I personally have found it to work very well on my skin, it helps to clear any bad patches very quickly.
The only bad aspect is that is very expensive, approx. €100 a tube, but thankfully the drugs payment scheme covers it.
I've stopped going to the dermatologist now, but when it flared up again, my GP was able to write me a repeat prescription. So go to your GP first to see if they will prescribe it, otherwise see a derm.
Hope this helps, good luck!

Vorsprung

Tacrolimus can have some serious side effects, I'd have thought that if you're using it you should be seeing a dermatologist.

Gael23

Old thread I know but just wanted to add how great this stuff is.
I was using Hydrocortisone on my face up until a year ago when my GP prescribed me Protopic 0.1% due to the risk of atrophy. All I can say is its amazing.
I use a maintenance dose of once a day twice a week and the results are unbelievable. Even though my GP initially prescribed it, I will need to see a Dermatologist to establish its safety for long term use. But I want to use if forever if I can!

Garza123

Gael23 wrote: »

Old thread I know but just wanted to add how great this stuff is.
I was using Hydrocortisone on my face up until a year ago when my GP prescribed me Protopic 0.1% due to the risk of atrophy. All I can say is its amazing.
I use a maintenance dose of once a day twice a week and the results are unbelievable. Even though my GP initially prescribed it, I will need to see a Dermatologist to establish its safety for long term use. But I want to use if forever if I can!

Hi Gael23, would you be able to catch us up on how you got on with Protopic 0.1%? Do you know a Dermatologist name that can prescribe it? Many thanks

Gael23

Garza123 wrote: »

Hi Gael23, would you be able to catch us up on how you got on with Protopic 0.1%? Do you know a Dermatologist name that can prescribe it? Many thanks

My treatment has changed quite significantly since this happened. I mentioned that my GP at the time had concerns over long term safety of it but when I went to a Dermtologist I was told that there was no problem. I only use it on my face and it really works for me, I am on other medication to control my psoriasis additionally though. It's also one of the safer treatments for the face.
Any doctor will prescribe it if it's what they think you need. I see Prof Kirby in St Vincent's myself.

Garza123

Thank you so much Gael23.