Protopic

Other Names: Tacrolimus.

Commonly Prescribed For: Protopic is generally prescribed for treating symptoms of eczema (a skin disease that leads to dryness of the skin and develops scaly rashes) in patients for whom other treatments failed to respond well.

How to Take it: Protopic is available in the form of an ointment to be applied to the skin. This medication is normally applied two times every day to the area that is affected. Apply this medication as prescribed, around the same time daily.

How it Works: Protopic belongs to a group of drugs known as topical calcineurin inhibitors. This medication works to thwart the ability of the ability of your immune system from producing certain substances that may lead to eczema.

Some Side Effects: Common side effects include skin burning, redness or soreness, nausea, tingling of the skin, stuffy or runny nose, increased sensitivity to skin, flu-like symptoms, itching, muscle or back pain, acne, headache, and infected hair follicles. Some serious side effects include swollen glands, inflammation of the hands, feet, or lower legs, rash, chicken pox or blisters, crusting, oozing and cold sores.