Drugs are medications or substances that are used to modify physiologic responses and alleviate associated symptoms. In dermatology, medications and substances are utilized on a daily basis and include topical treatments to anesthetics in micrographic surgery to biologic-acting immunologic agents. The purposes of this section are to focus on drug, specifically how it works and how it is utilized, and to discuss routine alternatives (if available). In this column, we will focus on the uses, mechanism of action, adverse effects, and alternatives to topical tacrolimus (Protopic) in atopic dermatitis.
Nicole K. Nagrani, BS, Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL.
Patrick M. Zito, DO, PharmD, RPh, FASCP, FRSPH, College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Patrick M. Zito, DO, PharmD, RPh, FASCP, FRSPH, College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Walden University, 100 Washington Ave., S. Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN 55401. E-mail: Patrick.zito@waldenu.edu
