What do systematic reviews say?

Tacrolimus 0.1% vs corticosteroids

Tacrolimus 0.1% probably leads to higher adverse effects: burning ‐ tacrolimus 0.1% versus hydrocortisone… compared with corticosteroids (moderate certainty).

• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 2.91 [1.6, 5.28]
  1 study · 371 participants
  Moderate
• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 4.59 [3.1, 6.78]
  1 study · 377 participants
  Moderate
• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 3.79 [2.99, 4.81]
  1 study · 972 participants
  Moderate

Tacrolimus 0.03% vs corticosteroids

• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  2.48 [1.96, 3.14]
  5 studies · 1883 participants
  High

Tacrolimus 0.03% vs Topical tacrolimus

Tacrolimus 0.03% showed no clear difference in adverse effects compared with tacrolimus 0.1% (moderate certainty).

• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.95 [0.86, 1.06]
  4 studies · 986 participants
  Moderate

Tacrolimus 0.1% vs ciclosporin

It is very uncertain whether tacrolimus 0.1% changes adverse effects compared with ciclosporin (very low certainty).

• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1 [0.31, 3.28]
  1 study · 30 participants
  Very low

Tacrolimus 0.1% vs pimecrolimus 1%

It is very uncertain whether tacrolimus 0.1% changes adverse effects ‐ 6 weeks compared with pimecrolimus 1% (very low certainty).

• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.89 [0.47, 1.71]
  2 studies · 506 participants
  Very low

Tacrolimus 0.03% vs pimecrolimus 1%

Tacrolimus 0.03% showed no clear difference in adverse effects ‐ burning compared with pimecrolimus 1% (low certainty).

• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.87 [0.43, 1.75]
  1 study · 141 participants
  Low

Tacrolimus 0.03% vs pimecrolimus 1%

Tacrolimus 0.03% showed no clear difference in adverse effects ‐ itching compared with pimecrolimus 1% (low certainty).

• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 2.37 [0.96, 5.81]
  1 study · 141 participants
  Low

Tacrolimus 0.03% vs pimecrolimus 1%

Tacrolimus 0.03% showed no clear difference in adverse effects ‐ erythema compared with pimecrolimus 1% (low certainty).

• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 2.2 [0.89, 5.46]
  1 study · 141 participants
  Low

Tacrolimus 0.03% vs pimecrolimus 1%

Tacrolimus 0.03% showed no clear difference in adverse effects ‐ application site reaction compared with pimecrolimus 1% (low certainty).

• Topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.07 [0.6, 1.91]
  1 study · 141 participants
  Low