New Eczema Treatment Approved

By the Editors

The FDA has approved crisaborole ointment (marketed as Eucrisa) to treat mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis in patients aged 2 years and older.

The phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE-4) inhibitor is applied to the affected area twice daily. The FDA says its mechanism of action in treating atopic dermatitis is unknown.

Approval was based on two placebo-controlled trials comprising over 1500 patients aged 2 to 79 years. Those who used crisaborole had a greater treatment response after 4 weeks of treatment.

The most common side effect was local pain, such as stinging. Hypersensitivity reactions also may occur.