Eucrisa (crisaborole) is an ointment that's used to treat eczema for people 3 months and older. The medication is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor that works to help reduce skin inflammation and itching from eczema. The ointment is usually applied to the affected area(s) of skin twice a day. The most common side effect is burning or stinging on the skin where you apply the medication.
Mild-to-moderate eczema
Eucrisa (crisaborole) is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor. It blocks PDE4, a protein that plays a role in eczema and skin inflammation. By blocking PDE4, Eucrisa (crisaborole) is thought to lessen inflammation, itching, and redness to help treat eczema.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Easy-to-apply ointment
Safe to use on children as young as 3 months old
Can start to see improvement in your skin in about 1 week
An alternative to topical steroids to treat eczema
Must use twice daily
Can cause pain, burning, or stinging on the skin
Not approved for severe eczema
No lower-cost generic available
Apply Eucrisa (crisaborole) on your skin only. Don't put it in or around your eyes, mouth, or vagina because this can lead to harmful side effects like serious irritation.
Apply Eucrisa (crisaborole) onto the areas of eczema twice a day. Try to use the ointment around the same times each day and make it a part of your daily routine so you can easily remember to apply the medication.
Since Eucrisa (crisaborole) can cause skin irritation, it might be helpful to use a small amount of the ointment on a small area of the skin as a test the first time you use the medication. This helps you figure out how your skin reacts to the medication before you use it regularly.
Wash your hands well after you apply Eucrisa (crisaborole) onto the skin, unless you have hand eczema. If someone is helping you apply the medication, ask them to wash their hands properly after each time. Leftover ointment on your hands can accidentally get onto other places on the body and be irritating (e.g., rubbing your eyes with medication still on your fingers).
There are several other things you can do to help your eczema from flaring. Use warm (not hot) water when you're showering or bathing. Also avoid using laundry detergent, cleaning products, and soaps that have preservatives, dyes, or fragrances because they can be too harsh.
Store Eucrisa (crisaborole) at room temperature. Keep the tube tightly closed when you're not using it.
Eucrisa (crisaborole) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Some people have had allergic reactions, like hives, to Eucrisa (crisaborole). Stop using the medication right away if you have severe itching, swelling, or skin redness after you apply the ointment onto the skin. And call for emergency medical help as soon as possible if you have an itchy, red rash (hives) or shortness of breath. Discuss other treatment options with your prescriber if you're allergic or sensitive to Eucrisa (crisaborole).
Apply a thin layer of the ointment twice daily on any areas of your skin that's affected by eczema. Once your skin improves, your prescriber might lower your dose to once a day.
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AAAAI/ACAAI JTF Atopic Dermatitis Guideline Panel, et al. (2024). Atopic dermatitis (eczema) guidelines: 2023 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology/American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters GRADE– and Institute of Medicine–based recommendations. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.
Bissonnette, R., et al. (2019). Crisaborole and atopic dermatitis skin biomarkers: An intrapatient randomized trial. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Crowley, E. L., et al. (2023). Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibition in the management of psoriasis. Pharmaceutics.
Guttman-Yassky, E., et al. (2018). The role of phosphodiesterase 4 in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis and the perspective for its inhibition. Experimental Dermatology.
Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc. (2024). Eucrisa- crisaborole ointment [package insert]. DailyMed.
Schlessinger, J., et al. (2020). Safety, effectiveness, and pharmacokinetics of crisaborole in infants aged 3 to < 24 months with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis: A phase IV Open-label study (CrisADe CARE 1). American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.
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