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Treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with Elidel™

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Treatment of cutaneous lupus with Elidel™
Ed Zabawski DO
Dermatology Online Journal: 8(2): 25



Elidel™ is a relatively new topical agent. This note is to provide anecdotal evidence that this topical agent may be helpful in treating cutaneous involvement of lupus erythematosus.


Figure 1 Figure 2
Facial plaques of discoid lupus erythematosus before and three months after use of Elidel™

Figure 3 Figure 3
Arm lesions of lupus erythematosus before and after Elidel™

This patient presented to a practitioner a year and a half ago with the rash on her face and photoexposed extremities. A skin biopsy was done and it was interpreted as lupus erythematosus, but the patient was not treated. One year later she again sought medical help. She was found to fulfill the ARA criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus.

The patient was treated with topical Elidel™. Her skin improved as demonstrated in the photographs. However because of arthralgia, she was subsequently started on Plaquenil as well. The patient was happy with the improvement.

© 2002 Dermatology Online Journal