Comments on: How does protopic work on vitiligo?

By: S.J

S.J — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:23:50 +0000

Dear Sir/Madam,
My wife is suffering from vitiligo. Her comments is given below.
“I am a 41 years old woman, suffering from vitiligo on my face, neck, hand and foot for many years. As well my mother and younger sister are suffering the same complication.
I have heard about Protopic and searched the Internet for the subject and found many comments. In my country dermatologists say that combined usage of protopic and UVB is useful for very small big spots where there are many spots in a certain location not for small and sparse spots.
Would you please tell me how should I use Protopic with some information about method and interval of use, or other instructions, how should i start it. Does it work with no UVB.
I would be appreciated for your kind reply.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:50:32 +0000

I have just started using Protopic for a small patch of vitiligo I’ve had for about 25 years. I was prescribed it by the dermatologist almost a year ago, but after I read all the warnings and possible health risks related to this medication, I held off using it until now. The dermatologist told me to ignore the FDA warnings, and that made me worried so I did some researching and decided after reading about the possible links to cancers, to use it only as a last resort. Well now it’s the last resort and I’m cautiously testing it out for a short time. I usually treat my body fairly good, I eat mostly organic food, and stay away from environmental toxins as much as I can, and using something like this goes against my better judgement, but I like most other people suffering from vitiligo, I’m getting desperate to rid myself of this condition and will try almost anything promising results. As far as results go, I’ve been using it as recommended on the box for over 3 weeks now with no apparent noticeable change yet. I really don’t want to have to use this medication for very long, especially since the warnings on the box say it’s not intended for long term exposure, and that the risks of cancer come from long term exposure. The cream itself is made of a toxic mineral oil base that itself would be harmful to use log term. Most of the research done on it with vitiligo though tell you to use the cream for at least 3 months. I think that’s crazy since it goes against the warnings of the drug company. I hope I see some positive results soon. I would be very disappointed, and angry at myself for exposing my body to something so toxic for nothing. Has anyone out there seen any results from Protopic after just a few weeks or have you had to wait months?

By: CJ

CJ — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:51:09 +0000

Hi I need help I’m 31 yrs of age and I have 2 white spots on my face the derm gave me some protopic cream, but I don’t see a change
it makes me feel so insecure at times, I have tried make up to cover – it doesn’t work my skin is a dark completion . I have a dr appts approaching I;m going to ask her about the Vit, cream lotion .
any suggestion ?

By: sf

sf — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:27:33 +0000

Hi Tash,
Hope the Protopic treatment works! I read younger people have better response to topical creams. Keep us posted!

By: acnelady

acnelady — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 11:22:01 +0000

Vitiligo has no permament cure, it can only be controlled by some medications.

By: tash

tash — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:30:11 +0000

we have just got back from seeing the dermatologist. my 13 yr old son has vitiligo as well as type 1 diabetes. (i know, what a bummer!!) we have been given protopic 0.1 and will let you know what happens!

By: Nathalie Pelletier

Nathalie Pelletier — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:22:10 +0000

hi sf,
actually, i asked him for the protopic and he agreed that it could help…i think it has. so far, there have been no side effects, but i do have to be careful to not apply it the night before a treatment because the skin will be to photosensitive.
the woman who normally does my treatment has been out for 6 weeks because she had a baby. when she returned last week, she couldnt believe how much pigmentation had occurred while she was away.
it’s so difficult to see results on yourself since you see your skin everyday, but her words made me take notice of the large amounts of new pigmentation.

By: sf

sf — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:21:30 +0000

Hi Nathalie,
Thanks for the sharing your research with us! Very informative! I’m just curious as to what your dermatologist said about Protopic when he/she prescribed it to you. Are you personally noticing any advantages when using the ointment? Any side effects? How’s the repigmentation process by the way?