Elidel cream is a prescription medication used to treat eczema. It contains the active ingredient pimecrolimus and several inactive ingredients such as benzyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, citric acid anhydrous, mono- and di-glycerides, oleyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium cetostearyl sulphate, sodium hydroxide, stearyl alcohol, triglycerides, and water.
Like all medications, Elidel cream has both positive and negative effects. Some of the common side effects of Elidel cream include burning, stinging, or soreness of treated skin, viral skin infection, runny or stuffy nose, headache, fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, and swollen glands. These side effects are usually mild or moderate, happen during the first few days of treatment, and usually clear up in a few days.
Serious side effects of Elidel cream are rare but can occur. These include skin cancer, swollen lymph nodes, which could be a sign of infection, and severe pain, burning, itching, or stinging. Elidel cream should not be used by anyone who has a weakened immune system, such as following an organ transplant.
It is important to note that the side effects of Elidel cream are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, so it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. If you experience any side effects while using Elidel cream, you should contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
