Calcineurin inhibitors are a class of medications that are commonly used in dermatology for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. These agents inhibit the activity of calcineurin, a protein phosphatase that is involved in T-cell activation and cytokine production

There are two main calcineurin inhibitors used in dermatology: tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. These medications are available in topical formulations and are applied directly to the affected skin. They are particularly useful in areas where corticosteroids may not be appropriate or effective, such as the face and skin folds.

This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of calcineurin inhibitors, including their mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, adverse effects, and drug interactions.

Successful completion of this quiz requires a good understanding of the different calcineurin inhibitors used in dermatology and their clinical applications. We encourage you to review the associated learning module before taking the quiz.

Click on “Mark Quiz Complete” once completed to keep track of your learning in your dashboard.

Sources

  1. Bolognia JL: Dermatology, 4th ed; 2018.
  2. Stephen E Wolverton JJW: Comprehensive Dermatologic Drug Therapy 4th edn: Elsevier; 2020
  • Release Date: March 31 2023

  • Last Updated: March 31 2023

  • Time to complete: 30 minutes

  • Authors:

    • Dr. Zeinah Alhalees, MD, University of British Columbia.
    • Dr. Naif Aljahani, MD, Prince Sultan Military Medical City.
    • Dr. Elena Netchiporouk, MD, McGill University.