Combined Treatment with Tacrolimus and Excimer Laser in Vitiligo
tacrolimus-and-excimer-laser
Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug whose main use is after allogeneic organ transplant to reduce the activity of patient`s immune system and so lower the risk of organ rejection. It is also used in
the treatment of eczema and vitiligo. Recently it has also been used in the treatment of segmental vitiligo in children, especially on face.
Excimer laser is the form of ultraviolet laser which is used in surgery of eye and dermatological treatment. For the treatment of vitiligo, dermatologists combined the tacrolimus and excimer laser. A study published in Journal Watch Dermatology about the combined treatment of tacrolimus with excimer laser has shown significant results. These results are far better than expectations. This research can bring repigmentation in affected skin by vitiligo, especially in those areas which are difficult to treat such as fingers and bone prominences.
Dermatologists conducted an intra-individual study in which one side of body works as a control. They treated 43 patches in 14 patients affected by symmetrical vitiligo. One side of body is exposed either by excimer laser or tacrolimus ointment and on the other side combined treatment was established. Combined treatment showed the results of 70% in the form of extensive repigmentation and laser therapy showed 20% extensive repigmentation. Whatever the results, the satisfactory level is high in this technique.
People With Vitiligo