Eczema Drug Warning: Elidel
Eczema Drug Warning: Elidel
When Peyton went to his one month checkup, he had cradle cap. Most babies have cradle cap at one point or another, so I wasn’t surprised at all. The doctor prescribed him Elidel, but did not realize it until I got home. That night I saw the popular commercial and it said that it should not be used for children under age two. I called the 1-800-number on the commercial and they said it was fine and that it is often prescribed for cradle cap. I used it on Peyton and it indeed cleared up the cradle cap.
A couple of months later, I read an article on the Eczema drug alert. Based on animal studies, the FDA had issued a public health advisory warning consumers of a potential cancer risk from using Elidel or Protopic. They are both approved for adults and children age 2 and up. “These drugs should be only used for short term and only after other drugs have failed,” says Diane Murphy, MD, director of the Office of Pediatric Therapeutics at the FDA. They also have advised to make sure doctors are not prescribing these medications for diaper rash or other rashes on a baby’s skin. If pregnant or breastfeeding be sure to consult your doctor if using any of these creams.
Sometimes it is a good idea to really check into what your doctor is prescribing. I even was worried but they reassured me everything is ok. If you were prescribed Elidel creme for your child, stop using immediately.
By: Natasha Browning
When Peyton went to his one month checkup, he had cradle cap. Most babies have cradle cap at one point or another, so I wasn’t surprised at all. The doctor prescribed him Elidel, but did not realize it until I got home. That night I saw the popular commercial and it said that it should not be used for children under age two. I called the 1-800-number on the commercial and they said it was fine and that it is often prescribed for cradle cap. I used it on Peyton and it indeed cleared up the cradle cap.
A couple of months later, I read an article on the Eczema drug alert. Based on animal studies, the FDA had issued a public health advisory warning consumers of a potential cancer risk from using Elidel or Protopic. They are both approved for adults and children age 2 and up. “These drugs should be only used for short term and only after other drugs have failed,” says Diane Murphy, MD, director of the Office of Pediatric Therapeutics at the FDA. They also have advised to make sure doctors are not prescribing these medications for diaper rash or other rashes on a baby’s skin. If pregnant or breastfeeding be sure to consult your doctor if using any of these creams.
Sometimes it is a good idea to really check into what your doctor is prescribing. I even was worried but they reassured me everything is ok. If you were prescribed Elidel creme for your child, stop using immediately.
By: Natasha Browning
9/01/2005
0 comments
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home