Takfa Forte Ointment
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Tacrolimus (0.1% w/w) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Macrolide Lactams |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | ANTI NEOPLASTICS |
| Action Class | Immunosuppressant- Calcineurin inhibitors |
| User Rating | 4.4 |
| User Reviews | 559 |
FAQ
What is Takfa Forte used for?
Takfa Forte is a medicine that modulates the immune system. It works on the immune system and mostly decreases its activity. It is used to treat moderate to severe eczema (atopic dermatitis) in adults who do not respond to steroids or develop side effects on using them. In atopic dermatitis, the skin’s immune system undergoes an overreaction and causes skin inflammation leading to itchiness, redness and dryness. Takfa Forte acts on the abnormal immune response and alters it, thereby relieving the skin inflammation and itchiness.
Is Takfa Forte ointment safe?
As compared to other immune-suppressing medicines, Takfa Forte has been found to be a safe and effective short-term treatment for atopic dermatitis. When applied on the affected part of the skin, its absorption to the blood and body is minimal. Hence, the side effects are less as compared to when taken through oral route.
Is Takfa Forte a steroid?
No, Takfa Forte is not a steroid. It is a medicine which modulates the working of the immune system. It is used in the treatment of eczema, most commonly in atopic dermatitis. An advantage of Takfa Forte is that it does not cause skin thinning (atrophy) or other steroid-related side effects.
Does Takfa Forte has abuse potential?
No, Takfa Forte does not have abuse potential and thus, is not a controlled substance. Controlled substances have potential for abuse so they need permission by authorities and doctor for use.
What are the side effects of Takfa Forte?
Takfa Forte, when applied to the skin, may cause skin irritation, burning sensation and itching at the site of application. These are usually mild to moderate in severity and normally resolve within one week of starting the treatment. Redness is also a common manifestation along with sensation of warmth, pain, altered sensation and rash at the site of application. Using it increases the patients’ increased risk of getting inflamed or infected hair follicles, cold sores, acne and generalized herpes simplex infections.
Does Takfa Forte cause cancer?
Long-term use of Takfa Forte has been found to have increased risk of lymph node tumors called lymphoma. Some studies have found that few patients who used Takfa Forte ointment or another similar medication developed skin cancer or lymphoma. Consult your doctor if you have to use Takfa Forte ointment for more than 6 weeks or if your eczema symptoms have not improved or are getting worse with time during your treatment.
What if you forget to take Takfa Ointment?
If you miss a dose of Takfa Forte, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule.
Takfa Forte Ointment Reviews
Takfa Forte is used to treat eczema (atopic dermatitis). It works by suppressing the activity of certain immune cells that cause inflammation (redness and swelling) of the skin. This relieves itching and improves rashes in atopic dermatitis.
Takfa Forte is used for external use. It should be used 2-4 times a day on the affected area or use it as suggested by the doctor. It should be applied slowly and evenly to the skin until it is rubbed in. You should not use it too often and you should not cover the treated area with a bandage or plaster. You must inform your doctor if there’s no improvement even after two weeks of treatment or if the skin gets worse.
Use of this medicine may cause some common side effects like erythema, headache, inflammation of hair follicle, and application site reaction like burning, irritation, itching, and redness. This medicine is not normally recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding unless it is clearly needed.
Takfa Forte is used for external use. It should be used 2-4 times a day on the affected area or use it as suggested by the doctor. It should be applied slowly and evenly to the skin until it is rubbed in. You should not use it too often and you should not cover the treated area with a bandage or plaster. You must inform your doctor if there’s no improvement even after two weeks of treatment or if the skin gets worse.
Use of this medicine may cause some common side effects like erythema, headache, inflammation of hair follicle, and application site reaction like burning, irritation, itching, and redness. This medicine is not normally recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding unless it is clearly needed.
How Takfa Forte Ointment Works
Takfa Forte is an immunosuppressant. It works by suppressing the activity of certain immune cells that cause inflammation (redness and swelling) of the skin. This relieves itching and improves rashes in atopic dermatitis.
How to Use Takfa Forte Ointment
This medicine is for external use only. Use it in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Clean and dry the affected area and gently massage the ointment.
Benefits of Takfa Forte Ointment
- In Treatment of Atopic dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic skin condition causing red, itchy, and inflamed patches on the skin, often associated with allergies. Takfa Forte when applied topically suppresses the immune response in the skin, reducing the inflammatory reactions that lead to eczema flare-ups. This way it provides relief and helps improve the quality of life for individuals with atopic dermatitis.
Uses of Takfa Forte Ointment
- Treatment of Atopic dermatitis
Takfa Forte Ointment Side Effects
Safety Tips
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Takfa Forte may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Takfa Forte is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
Quick Tips
- Inform your doctor if there's no improvement even after two weeks of treatment, or if the skin gets worse.
- Don't cover the area being treated with airtight dressings such as bandages unless directed by a doctor, as this may increase the risk of side effects.
- It works by decreasing itching, redness, and skin rashes.
- Takfa Forte is effective at treating eczema (atopic dermatitis) when other treatment options have failed.
- Continuous long-term use of the ointment should be avoided. Use as prescribed by you doctor.
- Apply thinly, to affected areas of skin only. Clean the affected area and dry well before applying Takfa Forte. Avoid contact with water after application.
- Stop using Takfa Forte and consult your doctor if your eczema becomes infected.
References
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1305-309.
- Burkhart C, Morrell D, Goldsmith L. Dermatological Pharmacology. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 1822.
- Tacrolimus [Prescribing Information]. Dublin 12, Ireland: LEO Laboratories Ltd.; 2022.
- Tacrolimus monohydrate. Hurley, Berkshire: Leo Laboratories Limited; 2002 [revised 30 Jun. 2018].
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
- Lake DF, Briggs AD, Akporiaye ET. Immunopharmacology. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 972.