tacrolimus and Pruritus-Vulvae

Pruritus vulvae may have a variety of causes, such as infections, dermatologic disorders or non-neoplastic/neoplastic vulvar diseases.. To investigate the efficacy and side effects of topical pimecrolimus 1% cream for pruritus vulvae.. Twelve postmenopausal diabetic women with vulvar lichen simplex chronicus were enrolled in this trial. Each patient was treated with pimecrolimus 1% cream which was applied twice daily in a thin layer to the vulvae for 3 months. Clinical examination and recording of patients' symptoms using a scoring system was performed by the same physician before, after 4 weeks and after 3 months of therapy.. All of the patients completed the study. A substantial decrease in pruritus after treatment was reported by the patients at the 4th week (2.17+/-0.72, p<0.01) and 3rd month of treatment (0.42+/-0.92, p<0.001) when compared with the baseline score (3.75+/-0.45). Follow-up of the patients after 3 months of treatment showed that complete cure occurred in 10 patients (83.3%) and the pruritus was improved in two (16.7%) patients.. Pimecrolimus 1% cream seems to be an effective and safe treatment modality for pruritus in postmenopausal women with vulvar lichen simplex chronicus.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Dermatologic Agents; Diabetes Complications; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Neurodermatitis; Postmenopause; Prospective Studies; Pruritus Vulvae; Tacrolimus

Chronic vulvar pruritus has been a most distressing physical and sociologic disorder for many patients, as well as for their physicians. Potent topical steroids are the conventional therapy for this distressing condition. Side effects or steroid resistance can be encountered. A second-line therapy is required.. A single-centre, non-controlled, open-label study was designed to assess the efficacy of topical pimecrolimus in the treatment of chronic vulvar pruritus.. Fifteen married adult women with symptoms of vulvar pruritus > or =4 months were included in the study. The patients did not have any relief with topical steroids. There were no objective physical findings. Topical pimecrolimus 1% cream (Elidel cream, Novartis) was applied twice daily to the vulvar region. Patients were followed up 4 weeks later. After the trial was stopped, the patients remained in regular review for 3 months.. Thirteen patients tolerated pimecrolimus. They showed a clinical response within 2-4 weeks. Ten patients showed a complete response, three showed a partial response. After the trial had stopped, the patients with complete response were followed-up by telephone for another 3 months, and were found to be in remission.. We found that topical pimecrolimus provides relief for chronic vulvar pruritus. Pimecrolimus can be chosen as the second-line therapy in patients with vulvar pruritus.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Adult; Chronic Disease; Dermatologic Agents; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Pruritus Vulvae; Tacrolimus; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Administration, Topical; Aged; Antipruritics; Female; Genital Diseases, Male; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Pruritus; Pruritus Vulvae; Scrotum; Tacrolimus