Pimecrolimus Cream 1% (Elidel®) and Medicated Device Cream (EletoneTM) in the Treatment and Maintenance of Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects a large part of the population. Although atopic dermatitis responds well to twice daily mid-strength corticosteroids, it is not optimal to expose a patient to the long term use of topical corticosteroids. Side effects of long term steroid use include skin atrophy, striae, tachyphylaxis, adrenal suppression, bacterial infections, and contact allergies to name a few. Elidel® (pimecrolimus) cream 1% and Eletone™ cream are both alternative topical therapies FDA approved for use in patients with atopic dermatitis. Each has an independent mechanism of action that has been shown in clinical trials to deliver itch relief, reduce eczema flares and maintain remission, thus providing an adequate treatment option when topical steroids are not preferred or contraindicated. Thus far, no study has evaluated the efficacy of these two products head-to-head. This is an investigator-blinded, bilateral comparison study in 20 subjects with atopic dermatitis. It is designed to assess and compare the efficacy Elidel® (pimecrolimus) cream 1% and Eletone™ cream in patients with atopic dermatitis. Subjects will apply Elidel® (pimecrolimus) cream 1% twice daily for four weeks on a chosen target eczematous area located on one side of the body and then apply Eletone™ three times daily on a symmetrical target eczematous area on the opposite side of the body. A randomized list will be created to determine which side the subject applies each medication. Patients will be clinically evaluated every two weeks by the investigator on a Physician Global Assessment (PGA) scale. Part of this clinical study consists of the use of patient and self-assessment questionnaires and the use of non-identifying digital photography of target lesions.

Inclusion criteria

• Males and females ≥ 2 years old.
• Subjects must be in good general health as confirmed by medical history and physical examination.
• Females of child-bearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at the baseline visit and agree to use adequate birth control during the study (barrier, oral, injection, intrauterine). NOTE: Post-menopausal (amenorrheic for at least one year) and surgically sterile (tubal ligation and/or hysterectomy) are considered to be of non child-bearing potential.
• Clear diagnosis of atopic dermatitis for at least one year.
• Subject must have a static Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) of at least 2 (mild severity) for each selected target lesion
• Disease must be stable or slowly worsening for more than one week prior to entering the study.
• Subjects must be able to read, sign, and date the informed consent, and abide by study restrictions for its duration.

Exclusion criteria

• Females who are pregnant, attempting to conceive, or breastfeeding.
• Subjects with known hypersensitivity to study drug.
• Subjects with overt signs of skin atrophy, telangiectasias and/or striae in the target area.
• Subjects with a current active skin malignancy or infection.
• Subjects requiring the use of medications known to alter the course of atopic dermatitis during the study treatment.
• Subjects who have received systemic antibiotics within 2 weeks.
• Subjects using systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants within 28 days of entering the study.
• Subjects who have received topical corticosteroids or other topical therapies (tar, calcineurin inhibitors) for atopic dermatitis within 7 days of entering the study.
• Subjects using phototherapy (UVB, PUVA) within 28 days of entering the study.
• Subjects who are currently participating in or, with in the previous 28 days, have participated in another study for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
• Subjects with clinical conditions that may post a health risk to the subject by being involved in the study or detrimentally affect regular follow-up of the subject.