What is the recommended dosing and application of Eucrisa (crisaborole) for a 12-year-old patient with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis?

Eucrisa (Crisaborole) Dosing and Application for a 12-Year-Old with Atopic Dermatitis

For a 12-year-old with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, apply a thin layer of Eucrisa (crisaborole) 2% ointment to affected areas twice daily. 1

Dosing Regimen

• Frequency: Apply twice daily
• Amount: Use enough to cover affected areas with a thin layer
• Duration: Continue until clinical improvement; reassess if no improvement after 8 weeks
• Application technique: Gently massage into affected skin

Application Instructions

1. Wash hands before application
2. Clean the affected area gently and pat dry
3. Apply a thin layer of ointment only to affected areas
4. Massage gently into the skin until fully absorbed
5. Wash hands after application unless hands are being treated

Efficacy and Benefits

• Crisaborole is a non-steroidal phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor that effectively reduces:
  • Inflammation
  • Pruritus (itching)
  • Overall disease severity 1
• Improvement in symptoms can be seen within the first 2 weeks of treatment 2
• Significantly reduces itch, which improves quality of life 3

Safety Profile

• Generally well-tolerated in pediatric patients
• Most common side effect is application site pain (burning/stinging)
• No long-term safety concerns like those associated with topical corticosteroids 2
• No skin thinning or HPA axis suppression concerns

Treatment Considerations

• Can be used as an alternative to topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors 1
• Suitable for sensitive areas (face, neck, skin folds) where steroid use is concerning
• Can be used for longer periods without the safety concerns of topical steroids
• May be used as maintenance therapy to prevent flares 4, 5

Potential Side Effects

• Application site reactions (burning, stinging)
• Hypersensitivity reactions (rare)

Follow-up Recommendations

• Assess response after 4 weeks of treatment
• If inadequate response after 8 weeks, consider alternative or additional therapies
• For maintenance therapy after initial response, once-daily application may be effective in preventing flares 4

Important Precautions

• Discontinue if hypersensitivity occurs
• Avoid use on infected areas
• Continue basic therapy with emollients and trigger avoidance alongside Eucrisa 1
• Do not exceed recommended application frequency

Crisaborole represents an effective non-steroidal option for managing atopic dermatitis in adolescents, with a favorable safety profile that allows for both short-term treatment and longer-term maintenance therapy.