Drug Mechanism: How does Protopic Ointment work?

Protopic Ointment contains the active ingredient tacrolimus, which is a type of medicine called a topical immunomodulator.

The precise mechanism of action of Protopic Ointment in the treatment of eczema (atopic dermatitis) is not known, but it has been shown to suppress inflammatory reactions in the skin.

Severe eczema is thought to be partly caused by immune cells in the skin over-reacting to a stimulus, causing inflammation. Applying Protopic Ointment to the eczema suppresses these reactions in the skin, and improvement of the eczema is generally seen within a week of starting treatment with Protopic Ointment.

Protopic Ointment can be used for short-term treatment, or as intermittent long-term treatment to bring eczema under control when it flares up.