Pimecrolimus vehicle + topical corticosteroid

This refers to the combination or sequential use of a pimecrolimus vehicle (the cream base without active drug) and a topical corticosteroid. Pimecrolimus is an immunosuppressant macrolactam derivative used topically as a calcineurin inhibitor for mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis, especially in patients who have not responded adequately to first-line therapies such as topical corticosteroids[1][2][3]. The "vehicle" is the inactive cream base used in clinical trials as a comparator. Topical corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory agents commonly used for various dermatological conditions, including atopic dermatitis, and act primarily by suppressing local immune responses through glucocorticoid receptor agonism[5][6]. In clinical studies, patients may receive either pimecrolimus cream or its vehicle (placebo), sometimes with adjunctive or rescue use of topical corticosteroids during disease flares[5][6][8].