Treatment Overview

Atopic dermatitis can be a chronic disease in teens and adults. Atopic dermatitis that begins in an infant or young child can improve, or even disappear, over time. Treatment for atopic dermatitis is focused on preventing infection and reducing symptoms.

Types of Treatments

Treatment for atopic dermatitis may include:

Antihistamines – Antihistamines help to relieve itching associated with atopic dermatitis.

Steroid creams – Steroid creams help to ease skin inflammation associated with atopic dermatitis.

Systemic corticosteroids – Systemic corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis to ease both itching and inflammation.

Oral antibiotics – Oral antibiotics are used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis to treat and prevent skin infections.

Immunosuppressants – Immunosuppressant drugs, such as oral cyclosporine and methotrexate, are used for the treat atopic dermatitis that doesn’t respond to other treatments.

Phototherapy – Ultraviolet light or PUVA, also called chemophototherapy, is used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis to stop inflammation.

Topical immunomodulators – Topical immunomodulators, such as tacrolimus and pimecolimus, are used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis to alter the body’s immune response.

Barrier restoration creams – Barrier creams are used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis to moisturize and repair damaged skin.

Lifestyle and skin care practices – Lifestyle and good skin care practices for the treatment of atopic dermatitis include:

Avoiding skin irritants and extreme temperatures

Using good skin moisturizers

Using non-irritant bath oils, creams, or ointments

Avoid scratching skin

Identifying any food allergies that worsen the condition

New, Experimental Treatments

A new drug, dupilumab, was recently approved by the FDA (2020) for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis that has not responded to other therapies.

Long-Term Follow Up

Ongoing, long-term follow-up is an essential part of treatment for patients with atopic dermatitis to help relieve symptoms, prevent infection, and monitor treatment effectiveness.

Sources

This content was written by the MediFind Medical Team. Last updated: 6/9/2022

Medications for Atopic Dermatitis

These are drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they have been determined to be safe and effective for use in Atopic Dermatitis.

Found 20 Approved Drugs for Atopic Dermatitis

Dupixent

Generic Name
Dupilumab

Dupixent

Generic Name
Dupilumab
Form: Injection
Method of administration: Subcutaneous
FDA approval date: March 28, 2017
Classification: Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Antagonist
DUPIXENT is an interleukin-4 receptor alpha antagonist indicated: Atopic Dermatitis for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients aged 6 months and older with moderate-to-severe AD whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.

Tacrolimus

Brand Names
Astagraf, Tacrus, Envarsus, Prograf

Tacrolimus

Brand Names
Astagraf, Tacrus, Envarsus, Prograf
Form: Ointment, Injection, Tablet, Granule, Capsule
Method of administration: Oral, Intravenous, Topical
FDA approval date: April 08, 1994
Classification: Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant
Tacrolimus Capsules USP is a calcineurin-inhibitor immuno-suppressant indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult and pediatric patients receiving allogeneic liver, kidney, heart or lung transplants, in combination with other immunosuppressants.

Elidel

Generic Name
Pimecrolimus

Elidel

Generic Name
Pimecrolimus
Form: Cream
Method of administration: Topical
FDA approval date: December 02, 2001
Classification: Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant
INDICATION AND USAGE Pimecrolimus cream, 1% is indicated as second-line therapy for the short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in non-immunocompromised adults and children 2 years of age and older, who have failed to respond adequately to other topical prescription treatments, or when those treatments are not advisable. Pimecrolimus cream, 1% is not indicated for use in children less than 2 years of age [see Warnings and Precautions.

Eucrisa

Generic Name
Crisaborole

Eucrisa

Generic Name
Crisaborole
Form: Ointment
Method of administration: Topical
FDA approval date: January 30, 2017
Classification: Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor
EUCRISA is indicated for topical treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in adult and pediatric patients 3 months of age and older. EUCRISA is a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor indicated for topical treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in adult and pediatric patients 3 months of age and older. ( 1 )

Fluocinolone Acetonide

Brand Names
Neo-Synalar, Flac, Iluvien, Dermotic, YUTIQ, Retisert, Derma-Smoothe, Synalar

Fluocinolone Acetonide

Brand Names
Neo-Synalar, Flac, Iluvien, Dermotic, YUTIQ, Retisert, Derma-Smoothe, Synalar
Form: Ointment, Cream, Oil, Implant, Solution
Method of administration: Intraocular, Auricular (otic), Intravitreal, Topical
FDA approval date: June 11, 1963
Classification: Corticosteroid
Fluocinolone Acetonide ointment is indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.
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