Therapeutic breakthroughs in medicine are usually accompanied by a wealth of data. Often they result in a change of disease treatment paradigms. Tacrolimus ointment is the first in the new class of steroid-free Topical Immunomodulators (TIMs), and as such represents the first true breakthrough since the introduction of topical steroids more than 50 years ago for the treatment of T-cell mediated inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis. This book gives an easy-to-read overview of the discovery and the development of Tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Summarising the largest clinical trial program ever conducted in dermatology for a new treatment with more than 13000 patients, it offers a detailed insight into the efficacy and safety profile of Tacrolimus ointment. Based on this large body of data and extensive personal experience, the authors offer practical and hands-on guidance for the physician as to when and how to use Tacrolimus ointment in daily practice.

Atopic Dermatitis I

1 Epidemiology of Atopic Dermatitis
2 The Pathogenesis of the Atopic Eczema/Dermatitis Syndrome
3 Detecting, Diagnosing and Grading Atopic Dermatitis
4 Current Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis
Development of Tacrolimus Ointment II
5 Development of Tacrolimus Ointment
6 Pharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus Ointment: Clinical Relevance
7 Tacrolimus as an Immunomodulator
III Clinical Experience with Tacrolimus Ointment in Atopic Dermatitis
8 Clinical Experience in Adults
9 Clinical Experience in Children
10 The Role of Tacrolimus Ointment in Atopic Dermatitis
11 Other Potential Dermatological Indications for Tacrolimus
IV Social Impact of Atopic Dermatitis
12 Quality of Life Measurements in Atopic Dermatitis
13 Pharmacoeconomics in Atopic Dermatitis
Appendix V.