Little Rock, AR LONG-TERM TREATMENT WITH CETIRIZINE OF INFANTS WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS: A MULTI-

regarding clinical response was also included. Adverse events and laboratory assessments were obtained. Results. A total of 560 patients were enrolled. Study discontinuations were as follows: 21 of 189 in 0.03% tacrolimus group, 13 of 186 in 0.1% tacrolimus group, and 20 of 185 in hydrocortisone group. The mEASI, mean area under the curve (mAUC) as percentage of baseline showed the 0.03% tacrolimus (44.8%) and 0.1% tacrolimus (39.8%) to be more effective than 1% hydrocortisone (64%), and 0.1% tacrolimus to be the most effective treatment. Transient skin-burning was reported more often in the tacrolimus groups. Laboratory parameters showed no treatment differences and no significant changes between groups. Conclusions. Tacrolimus 0.03% and 0.1% ointments were more effective and showed equivalent safety when compared with 1% hydrocortisone in the treatment of children with moderate-to-severe AD. Reviewer’s Comments. This study demonstrates the usefulness and safety of tacrolimus ointment for children with moderate-to-severe AD. This new class of nonsteroid, immunomodulatory medications provides important therapeutic alternatives to long-term corticosteroid therapies for young children.