Protopic (Tacrolimus) Cream – Should You Buy It? Here’s the Evidence You Need

Emerging Writers' Festival  
22/04/2016

We spoke with Brodie Lancaster ahead of her appearance at the  launch of the  highly anticipated 2016 Emerging Writers’ Festival Program.  A superstar in our eyes, we can’t wait to hear her talk to us all about failure and ambition at The Wheeler Centre on 10 May.

You are performing at our Program Launch: ‘Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars’. Do you have moments you think about that encapsulate this theme in your own life?
You’ll have to hear my talk at the Program Launch to know the answer to that!
JK, but kind of. I guess all those in-between moments of limbo I’ve had in my life—times when I decided to move across the world or cut ties with someone or start (or quit) a big project—present that opportunity to either succeed or fail spectacularly. The decisions we make during those cloudy moments are what I think about when I hear the phrase, Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars.

You do a lot – you founded the zine Filmme Fatales, you’re senior editor of The Good Copy, you write stuff yourself and have contributed to publications widely, plus more – how do you juggle all these things and transition between hats?
It’s not super glamorous or inspiring, but I don’t do much more but work. Even right now, I’m writing these answers as I go HAM on my inbox on an Amtrak from Portland to Seattle, where I’m giving a big talk tomorrow. But ultimately, everything I do kiiiiinda connects in some way, so each disparate job helps another.
The Good Copy is my day job—I’m a senior editor there and I work on editorial copywriting projects from nine to five—and it helps to keep my brain active and work out my technical writing muscles.
I put that exercise into practice when it comes to freelancing and I need to take feedback, be concise and clear in my arguments and phrase juuust the right tweet to share stuff I’ve written. (lol)
I work on Filmme Fatales both at work (it’s published by The Good Copy) and during any moment of downtime I have.
Oh, and I’m also trying to write a book right now hahahaha. I know.

What have you been working on lately?
I’m at the end of a two-month trip around America right now. While here, I’ve been covering the SXSW Film program for Filmme Fatales, I gave a talk in New York City and I’m about to give a talk on fangirls and One Direction at the EMP Pop Conference in Seattle. After that, I’m going to be taking a week in LA to work on my book a little more before I come home and get back into everything I talked about doing in the previous question.

What are you excited by in the Australian literary landscape at the moment?
Without sounding like a douchey name-dropper, I’m excited by how many people I know (or even just people my age, with similar levels of writing and life experience as I have) have books out that I can buy and read, and that so many other people can too! The first thing I’m doing when I get home is buying Jennifer Down’s Our Magic Hour; I just saw Omar Musa’s book Here Come The Dogs at Powell’s in Portland; Minna Gilligan’s Time After Time, which came out last year, is one of my favourite non-fiction books. As someone who is trying to write a book right now and who never ever thought I would or could or should write a book, it’s encouraging and invigorating to read incredible work by people who make that feel possible.

Have you any advice for fellow writers?
I have a lot! But real quick, I think it is very important to remember to write what you know and like, and not what you think you’re supposed to be writing for whatever trend/style/internetty reason.

What aspects of the Emerging Writers’ Festival do you look forward to?
I love seeing everyone from Twitter IRL!!!!!! Also I really love the diversity of the programming (shoutout to me and my fellow cute’n’smart members of this year’s Programming Advisory Committee) and the commitment EWF has always had to programming people who aren’t just ~big names~; I always hear about or meet people at the festival whose work I didn’t know about before the event takes place.

Brodie Lancaster is the editor of Filmme Fatales, a zine about women and cinema, and a senior editor at The Good Copy, a writing studio in Collingwood. 

She has written for Rookie, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Vulture and other publications. Her first book, a pop culture memoir called No Way! Okay, Fine!, will be out next year with Hachette.

Early Bird Tickets to The National Writers’ Conference are available now. Taking place over two days, with over seventy speakers, The National Writers’ Conference features panels, conversations, and performances, allowing you meet this year’s Ambassadors and other writers from around Australia.

Golden Tickets to the Emerging Writers’ Festival are also available now. Golden Tickets are your passport to the Emerging Writers’ Festival. They will give you access to the National Writers’ Conference, plus the rest of the festival including all panels, talks, performances and selected workshops.

The 2016 Emerging Writers’ Festival program launches on Tuesday, 10 May at The Wheeler Centre.

Protopic For Eczema: What You Should Know Before Buying. Visit Our Pharmacy ↓


Protopic in Australia: The Steroid-Free Eczema Strategy You Need to Know About

Attention: If you are over 30 and living with eczema that keeps coming back, you already know the cycle. Red, inflamed patches on your face, neck, hands or elbow creases. Itching that stops you sleeping. Flaking skin that makes you self-conscious. And the endless worry: “Am I using too much cortisone cream? Will my skin get thin? What about my child’s eczema?”

Many adults tell me they have tried every moisturiser and over-the-counter cream, yet the flare-ups always return. Some are still using old steroid creams from the medicine cupboard, afraid of side effects, while others spend hours doing wet wrap therapy every week. There is a TGA-approved, PBS-listed option that many Australians have not fully explored: Protopic (tacrolimus ointment).

What is Protopic?

Protopic is a topical calcineurin inhibitor, not a corticosteroid. It works by calming the overactive immune response in the skin that drives eczema, without the thinning, stretch marks and rebound flares we worry about with long-term steroid use. In Australia, Protopic is available as 0.03% and 0.1% ointment and is prescribed for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Because it is steroid-free, Protopic can be safely used on delicate areas where skin damage from steroids is a real concern: the eyelids, around the mouth, neck, and skin folds. For people over 30, this is particularly relevant because years of steroid use may have already left the skin fragile.

PBS Access and Restrictions for Children

One of the biggest pain points for parents is getting affordable treatment for their child’s eczema. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia does subsidise Protopic, but there are restrictions. Understanding these can save you money and frustration.

Protopic PBS Subsidy in Australia: What You Need to Know
Patient Group Protopic Strength PBS Restriction Summary Authority Requirement
Children 2–15 years 0.03% ointment Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis that has not responded adequately to optimal topical corticosteroids, or where corticosteroids are contraindicated. Authority (Streamlined). Initial prescription usually from a dermatologist or paediatric dermatologist. Ongoing scripts may continue via GP.
Adults 16 years and over 0.03% and 0.1% ointment Same clinical criteria: failure or intolerance of topical corticosteroids. Authority (Streamlined). Specialist initiation often required for initial PBS access.
Children under 2 years Not PBS listed Protopic is not PBS subsidised for this age group. Registration is for 2 years and older. Private prescription may be considered but is not standard.

If you are a parent or carer, this means you should ask your GP for a referral to a dermatologist or paediatric dermatologist. Once the specialist confirms the diagnosis and criteria, the PBS subsidy can make Protopic more affordable. The paperwork is streamlined, meaning the doctor can usually obtain the authority online within minutes. This is not a barrier to good care; it is a safeguard to ensure the right patients get the right treatment.

Why I Recommend Reading the Protopic Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

Every pack of Protopic in Australia includes a Consumer Medicine Information leaflet, also available via the TGA and NPS MedicineWise websites. The CMI is written in plain English and explains exactly how to use the ointment, what side effects to expect, and when to seek help. I encourage every patient over 30 to read it. Key points from the Australian CMI include:

The CMI is not a substitute for medical advice, but it gives you confidence. Many patients tell me they feel more in control when they understand their medicine. That is exactly what the CMI provides.

Protopic vs Wet Wrap Therapy: Reclaim Your Time and Sanity

Wet wrap therapy has a role in severe paediatric eczema and acute flares, but for most adults it is time-consuming, messy and difficult to maintain. You have to wet bandages, wring them out, wrap the affected limb or torso, stay warm and repeat. In a busy life over 30 — work, children, caring for ageing parents — wet wraps are rarely practical for more than a few days.

Protopic vs Wet Wrap Therapy: A Practical Comparison
Factor Protopic Ointment Wet Wrap Therapy
Time needed Approximately 1–2 minutes twice daily 30–60 minutes per session, often multiple times daily
Convenience Easy to apply at home or work Requires bandages, water, planning and privacy
Risk of skin thinning None — steroid-free Usually used with topical steroids, so steroid-related risks may apply
Side effects Transient burning, flushing, occasional acne-like eruption Folliculitis, overheating, discomfort, poor adherence
Adherence for busy adults High — fits into daily routine Low — many people give up after a few days
Evidence in Australia Strong clinical trial support for moderate-severe AD Good for acute severe flares, but not a long-term solution

For many of my patients, switching from daily wet wraps to Protopic has been life-changing. They get their evenings back, their sleep improves, and their skin stays controlled. Wet wraps remain a useful tool for occasional severe flares, but Protopic is the smarter maintenance strategy.

Clinical Trial Evidence in Australia

Australian clinical trials and international data have consistently shown that Protopic improves eczema severity, itch and quality of life. Local dermatology centres have contributed to the global evidence base for tacrolimus. In randomised controlled trials, Protopic 0.1% applied twice daily delivers a substantial reduction in EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index) scores, often within the first week, with continued improvement over 12 weeks. The 0.03% strength is effective for children and for adults who prefer a lower concentration on sensitive skin.

What does this mean for you? It means Protopic is not a cosmetic lotion or an unproven natural remedy. It is a medicine backed by rigorous science, used by dermatologists across Australia for more than two decades. For adults over 30, this kind of evidence matters. You want a treatment that works, not another cream that smells nice but does nothing.

Addressing Common Concerns: Facial Flushing, Acne-Like Eruptions, Autoimmune Diseases and Skin Papillomas

I know that reading a medicine label can be daunting. Let me address the side effects and long-term questions I hear most often in Australian clinics.

Protopic and Facial Flushing

Protopic can cause a local burning sensation, warmth, redness or flushing, especially on the face in the first few days. Some people also notice flushing when they drink alcohol while using Protopic on the face. This is not an allergy and not dangerous. It is a transient local reaction. In my experience, it usually fades within a week of continued use. Tips to manage it: apply a very thin layer, avoid alcohol for the first few weeks if flushing bothers you, and store the ointment in the fridge to reduce the burning sensation. If it persists, talk to your doctor, but do not stop the medicine without advice — this side effect is temporary for most people.

Protopic and Acne-Like Eruptions

Some patients develop acne-like eruptions or small pimples in the treated area. This is not the same as steroid-induced acne, because Protopic does not contain steroids. These eruptions are usually mild, improve with standard acne hygiene, and often settle as the skin adjusts. If you are prone to acne or rosacea, mention it to your doctor. Protopic can still be used, but your doctor may adjust the treatment plan. The key point: a few temporary spots are a small trade-off for clear, comfortable eczema control.

Protopic and Autoimmune Diseases

Because Protopic is an immunomodulator, some patients worry about long-term risk of autoimmune diseases or cancers. Topical tacrolimus has very minimal systemic absorption, even with long-term use. Post-marketing surveillance and epidemiological studies have not shown an increased risk of autoimmune diseases in patients using topical calcineurin inhibitors as prescribed. The TGA and international regulators continue to monitor safety, but the current evidence supports the safety of Protopic for treating eczema. For most adults over 30, the risk of uncontrolled severe eczema — with sleep loss, skin infections and reduced quality of life — is far greater than any theoretical risk from Protopic.

Protopic and Skin Papillomas

Rare case reports have noted skin papillomas (wart-like growths) in patients using topical immunomodulators. However, a direct causal link has not been established. Eczema itself disrupts the skin barrier and may increase susceptibility to viral infections. If you notice new growths or changes in existing moles, see your doctor for a skin check. This is good advice for everyone, whether or not you use Protopic. Do not let a rare report stop you from treating your eczema effectively.

Desire: Imagine Your Life with Controlled Eczema

Think about waking up feeling rested because you were not scratching all night. Imagine your face calm and clear, not red and flaky. Picture yourself wearing short sleeves without feeling self-conscious. For your child, imagine them sleeping through the night and not needing messy, tearful wet wrap sessions. These are the real-world outcomes I see when patients start Protopic.

Protopic is not a cure-all and it requires a prescription. But for moderate to severe eczema, especially on the face and skin folds, it is one of the most effective steroid-free options available in Australia. It is PBS listed, backed by clinical evidence, and the CMI gives you clear instructions. The temporary side effects are manageable, and the long-term safety record is reassuring.

Action: Your Next Steps

If you are over 30 and tired of the eczema cycle, here is what to do:

  1. Book an appointment with your GP. Ask: “Could Protopic be suitable for my eczema?”
  2. If you have moderate to severe eczema or have used steroid creams for a long time, ask for a referral to a dermatologist for PBS access.
  3. Read the Protopic Consumer Medicine Information available from your pharmacist or online via NPS MedicineWise/TGA.
  4. Ask your doctor about starting with a small tube of Protopic 0.03% for sensitive areas or 0.1% for thicker skin, depending on their assessment.
  5. If a child aged 2 years or older has problematic eczema, discuss the paediatric PBS pathway with a paediatric dermatologist.

Do not let another season of itching, steroid fear or time-consuming wet wraps steal your quality of life. Ask your Australian doctor about Protopic today.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and reflects a doctor’s perspective. It is not individual medical advice. Always consult a registered healthcare professional before starting or changing treatment.



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