The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Adults
- Application-site burning (26%)
- Other application-site reactions (e.g., stinging, dryness) (15%)
- Flu (10%)
- Common cold symptoms (8%)
- Skin infection (7%)
- Headache (7%)
- Application-site irritation (6%)
- Application-site itching (5%)
Children
- Common cold symptoms (27%)
- Headache (25%)
- Cough (16%)
- Flu (13%)
- Fever (13%)
- Bronchitis (11%)
- Application-site burning (9%)
- Diarrhea (8%)
- Sore throat (8%)
- Viral infection (7%)
- Stomach flu (7%)
- Vomiting (7%)
- Upper stomach pain (6%)
- Swelling of the tonsils (6%)
Side effects above are from studies where [[EDITOR|DRUG_DISPLAY_NAME]] was taken for 1 year.
Less Common Side Effects
- Stuffy nose
- Ear infection
- Sore throat
- Back pain
- Joint pain
- Earache
- Swelling of the sinuses
- Pneumonia
- Chickenpox
- Sinus congestion
- Wheezing
- Nosebleeds
- Nausea
- Toothache
- Constipation
Pimecrolimus serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Possible cancer risk: loss of appetite, fatigue, lumps on skin, new moles or spots on skin, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, nosebleeds
- Serious infections: fever, difficulty breathing, cough, weakness, chills, redness and peelings of skin, blisters on the skin, cold sores
Source: DailyMed
The following Pimecrolimus side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Abdominal or stomach pain
body aches or pain
burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at the application site
change in hearing
chills
congestion (ear or nasal)
cough producing mucus
difficulty with breathing or shortness of breath
dryness or soreness of the throat
ear drainage
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
hoarseness
joint pain
loss of appetite
loss of voice
muscle aches and pains
redness
shivering
sweating
swelling
tenderness
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tightness in the chest
trouble with swallowing
trouble with sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
voice changes
vomiting
warmth on the skin
Less common
Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
blurred vision or other change in vision
fast heartbeat
itchy, raised, round, smooth, skin-colored bumps found on just one area of the body that are oozing, thick, white fluid
irritation
joint pain, stiffness or swelling
rash
redness of the eye
redness of the skin
sensitivity of the eyes to light
skin rash on the face, scalp, or stomach
swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
tearing
troubled breathing or swallowing
Incidence not known
Black, tarry stools
change in size, shape, or color of existing mole
dizziness
itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
large, hive-like swelling on the face
mole that leaks fluid or bleeds
new mole
small, red skin lesion, growth, or bump usually on the face, ears, neck, hands, or arms
sores that will not heal
yellow eyes and skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Blemishes on the skin
bloody nose
burning or stinging of the skin
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
flushing; redness of skin; unusually warm skin at site
painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
redness or swelling in the ear
vaginal pain and cramps
Incidence not known
Burning, stinging, itching, or mild discomfort of the eye (after applying the cream to the eyelids or near the eyes)
feeling of warmth (with alcohol use)
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest (with alcohol use)
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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