A million thoughts, Protopic in particular

Dear all Alopecia World members

Hope you have room for one more concerned parent of a child with AA.

My son of 6 years old has been diagnosed with AA since he was 1 and a half years old. The patches he had back then disappeared and reappeared when he was around 2 and half. Up until he was five and a half he didn't have any patches at all. Then in March 2009 almost from one day to the other we discovered a patch on the side of his head. This has grown slowly since. Since the hair grew back twice on the previsous occasions we have been reluctant in treating him for his AA this time hoping it would grow back by itself again. However, it does not look like it's happening.

We have been prescribed with Protopic 0,1 % and I am very sceptical with regards to side effects. This is my first post and of course I have already been going through some previous posts but I am curious to hear whether there is any new experience with Protopic that anyone would like to share.

We are also currently going through some alternative treatments that of course I will keep you posted on if any results show.

I am glad to have found this group. I hope we can all benefit from each other's experiences.

Thanks.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by BaldGirlsDoLunch.org on October 24, 2009 at 5:29pm
Hi Alia,

This is an informative answer to the past trial and future possibilities with Protopic (topial Tacrolimus) from noted dermatologist and researcher from the University of British Columbia, Dr. Kevin McElwee.

Presently, topical tacrolimus is one of the safest and result-oriented (hence FDA-approved) treatments for both dermatitis and psoriasis.

Clinical trials of alopecia areata patients, however, do not present the ointment formulation in so favorable a light. A study conducted by the Department of Dermatology, University of California, involving alopecia areata patients highlighted the ineffectiveness of topical tacrolimus. Seventeen alopecia areata patients with varying percentages of scalp area affected – between 25% and 75% – and persisting for over a period of 12 months, were treated with 0.1% of tacrolimus ointment twice daily for 24 weeks. A six-week observation period showed no noticeable changes in the alopecia areata condition and hair loss continued. Yet, another study in which five patients with long-term Alopecia Universalis were recommended a one-time application of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment also proved the inefficacy of the treatment.

These failures, however, have not completely deterred scientists and they are continuing with their experiments with tacrolimus. Instead, the fact that the topical application of tacrolimus induces anagen during the telogen phase and stimulates hair growth (especially in the absence of T-cells) has given a new impetus to their research work.

The ongoing research studies are aimed at determining the effectiveness of tacrolimus in treating early alopecia areata. In the early, active phases of alopecia areata, the dermal T-cell infiltrate is comparatively dense. It is a phase, the scholars opine, which is more treatment-receptive. Though the results are yet awaited, the scientists are working hard engaging in large placebo-controlled trials. They have even come up with a far less greasy formulation of Tacrolimus, which in itself is easy to apply and hopefully more effective.

Thea
baldgirlsdolunch.org
Permalink Reply by BaldGirlsDoLunch.org on October 24, 2009 at 10:55pm
PS and while the above is aimed at treatment for adults, immuno-modulating therapies are mostly not appropriate for children in any event.
Permalink Reply by Alia Ingerslev on October 26, 2009 at 4:47am
Hi Thea and Amy
Thanks for your replies. It's a jungle I have to admit. It takes intense research to become acquainted with all the new medical terms that appear in every article. But of course I will try my best to get into it. Thanks again.
Permalink Reply by Amy on October 24, 2009 at 9:48pm
Im not a doctor but I read that strength is too much for children under 16. Have you tried topical cortisteriods? Have you tried Vitamin D supplements? Kenalog worked best for me when I had patchy AA but it might be hard to give a child shots. Some have had luck with UVB. THere is also a good result on aromatherapy. I guess I would be hesitant to give a young child too many of the complex drugs. I wasnt impressed with protopic in my research. Look at www.pubmed.com and type in areata children and you will see the studies and results for yourself on a wide range of treatments.
Permalink Reply by Shinyhead on May 20, 2013 at 10:04pm

I have had AA since I was 14 Potopic and Bethamethasone has been constant medicines. However I don't find they work along. It works better when I get my shots. My Dr. at the moment has stopped my shots wanting me to use just the P and B but I have seen further hair loss.

Permalink Reply by ThatGuyLes on October 12, 2015 at 12:06am

I'm extremely late to this party in my response, but I have had two bouts with alopecia and going through the second one at the moment. I used Protopic the first time and it did help my hair grow back. I'm using it once again and it is helping my hair grow back in the patches that were bald. I don't know of any side effects that I experienced with it, so I'm all for the use of Protopic. I do hope your child doesn't deal with this much more in life, because loss of hair can truly effect confidence in a person at times. When ever I get the bald patches, I just shave my head until the hair comes back, so I try to not let the hair loss effect me in an adverse manner.

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