Experience with repetitive use of pimecrolimus: exploring the effective and safe use in the treatment of relapsing seborrheic dermatitis.

Background: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) tends to reoccur frequently, so the therapeutic agent must have a high benefit versus adverse effect ratio for long-term and repetitive uses.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of retreatment with pimecrolimus in SD patients.

Methods: A total of 45 patients who had been treated previously with pimecrolimus 1% cream were retreated with the same agent using the same treatment protocol after the disease reoccurred. The first and the second treatments were compared with regard to disease severity before treatment, complete cure times, remission times and side effects.

Results: The median severities of the disease were 5 and 4 before the first and second treatments, respectively. Retreatment of the disease with pimecrolimus resulted in shorter cure and longer remission times. Side effects were seen only on the first day of the retreatment and an increase in erythema was seen in fewer patients.

Conclusions: Retreatment of the recurrence of SD with pimecrolimus as monotherapy is an effective and safe approach in the management of the disease.