NCT00666302 - Clinical Trial References

Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.

Citation(s)

Fleischer AB Jr, Abramovits W, Breneman D, Jaracz E; US/Canada tacrolimus ointment study group
Tacrolimus ointment is more effective than pimecrolimus cream in adult patients with moderate to very severe atopic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2007;18(3):151-7.
Kirsner RS, Heffernan MP, Antaya R
Safety and efficacy of tacrolimus ointment versus pimecrolimus cream in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis previously treated with corticosteroids. Acta Derm Venereol. 2010;90(1):58-64. doi: 10.2340/00015555-0748.
Paller AS, Lebwohl M, Fleischer AB Jr, Antaya R, Langley RG, Kirsner RS, Blum RR, Rico MJ, Jaracz E, Crowe A, Linowski GJ; US/Canada Tacrolimus Ointment Study Group
Tacrolimus ointment is more effective than pimecrolimus cream with a similar safety profile in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: results from 3 randomized, comparative studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 May;52(5):810-22.

A Randomized, Investigator Blinded Study of Protopic (Tacrolimus) Ointment Vs. Elidel (Pimecrolimus) Cream in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

Clinical trial NCT00666302 - References