1.1. Adults

Dosage recommendations for available calcineurin inhibitors are summarized in Table 11-4.

Patient profiles documenting prescriptions for greater than the equivalent of one 60 g tube of pimecrolimus cream or tacrolimus ointment per 30-day time period will be reviewed.

Table 1: Recommended Adult Dosages for Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors

Drug Name Dosage Strength Recommended Dose/Directions
pimecrolimus (Elidel®, generics) cream 1% - 30 g, 60g, 100 g tube apply thin layer of cream to affected area twice daily until symptoms resolve; use should be confined only to areas affected by atopic dermatitis; should not be used with occlusive dressings
tacrolimus (Protopic®, generics) ointment
  • 0.03% - 30 g, 60 g, 100 g tube
  • 0.1% - 30 g, 60 g, 100 g tube
 apply thin layer of 0.03% or 0.1% ointment to affected area twice daily, rubbing in completely, and continue until symptoms resolve; use should be confined only to areas affected by atopic dermatitis; should not be used with occlusive dressings