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Can Topical Use Of Tacrolimus Ointment Be Harmful For A Person With Fatty Liver And Hepatomegaly?
Question: “I am 35 yrs old, male with diabetes. I was having itching and burning sensation in my scrotum area for the last two months. My doctor gave many creams but they all were making the condition worse. So ultimately he asked me to apply tacrolimus 0.03 % ointment which has given some relief.
Due to excessive drinking for many years, my liver has been affected – fatty and hepatomegaly for which treatment is going on like abstinence from alcohol, vitamins etc. I have read that tacrolimus is used orally to suppress the immune system in organ transplant patients. So, my question is whether topical use of tacrolimus ointment harm me ?? I mean my immune system is weak because of previous malnutrition and alcohol (not drinking anymore), so will this topical tacrolimus weaken the immune system further and I have also read that it can also harm the liver ?? Do these things happen only with oral or intravenous use of tacrolimus or can topical application also weaken the immune system and harm the liver OR is it safe ?? “
Due to excessive drinking for many years, my liver has been affected – fatty and hepatomegaly for which treatment is going on like abstinence from alcohol, vitamins etc. I have read that tacrolimus is used orally to suppress the immune system in organ transplant patients. So, my question is whether topical use of tacrolimus ointment harm me ?? I mean my immune system is weak because of previous malnutrition and alcohol (not drinking anymore), so will this topical tacrolimus weaken the immune system further and I have also read that it can also harm the liver ?? Do these things happen only with oral or intravenous use of tacrolimus or can topical application also weaken the immune system and harm the liver OR is it safe ?? “
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Yes Oral and Iv tacrolimus does cause immunosuppression and can have sideffects on liver function .
However such drastic sideffects are not yet known to be caused by local application of topical tacrolimus .
Tacrolimus has been advised for local treatment of eczema or atopic dermatitis when all other ointments have failed . So it has been appropriately advised in your case .
However the application should be limited to the area affected , and the minimal required dose should be given as long term safety of topical tacrolimus has not been studied fully & is under research .
Also the topical tacrolimus can cause local sideffects like flaring of skin infection or skin cancer in susceptible individuals though very rare .
Hence it's advisable to stop such therapy and use alternatives if even after 6 weeks of therapy the eczema has not completely resolved .
So as of now you can safely continue the treatment but do not exceed the duration and do apply it as and when directed by your doctor only.
Do not use it without consulting your doctor in case of future use.
Please do not worry as it will not weaken your immunity or liver function unlike oral or intravenous tacrolimus .
Hope I have answered your query.
Kindly accept my answer in case you have no further queries .
Wishing you good health .
Regards
Thanks for posting your query.
Yes Oral and Iv tacrolimus does cause immunosuppression and can have sideffects on liver function .
However such drastic sideffects are not yet known to be caused by local application of topical tacrolimus .
Tacrolimus has been advised for local treatment of eczema or atopic dermatitis when all other ointments have failed . So it has been appropriately advised in your case .
However the application should be limited to the area affected , and the minimal required dose should be given as long term safety of topical tacrolimus has not been studied fully & is under research .
Also the topical tacrolimus can cause local sideffects like flaring of skin infection or skin cancer in susceptible individuals though very rare .
Hence it's advisable to stop such therapy and use alternatives if even after 6 weeks of therapy the eczema has not completely resolved .
So as of now you can safely continue the treatment but do not exceed the duration and do apply it as and when directed by your doctor only.
Do not use it without consulting your doctor in case of future use.
Please do not worry as it will not weaken your immunity or liver function unlike oral or intravenous tacrolimus .
Hope I have answered your query.
Kindly accept my answer in case you have no further queries .
Wishing you good health .
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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