Abstract
Sequential application of both tacrolimus ointment and heparinoid external preparation has been performed for atopic dermatitis treatment. There are, however, no data about the application order of these two preparations. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of application order of tacrolimus ointment and heparinoid external preparation on the tacrolims concentrations in skin. We applied the tacrolimus ointment (Protopic® ointment 0.1%) followed to heparinoid external preparation (Hirudoid® ointment, Hirudoid® cream or Hirudoid® lotion) on the dorsal skin of NOA/Jcl mice as an atopic dermatitis model, and vice versa. After 3 hours application, we measured the tacrolimus concentration in skin by LCMS/MS. No significant differences in tacrolimus concentrations were observed between tacrolims ointment application followed to heparinoid external preparation group and heparinoid external preparation application followed to tacrolims ointment group. This finding suggests that application order of tacrolimus ointment and heparinoid external preparation has no influence on the clinical efficacy of tacrolimus.
