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Crisaborole (Eucrisa) is a boron-containing, non-steroidal topical PDE4 inhibitor, FDA-approved in December 2016 for mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema) in patients aged three months and older. Two pivotal Phase 3 trials showed superior skin clearance and itch relief versus vehicle with a favorable safety profile. Honesty note: this is a skin drug with negligible systemic absorption and no CNS or cognition relevance whatsoever; it is included here only for PDE4-class completeness, not as a nootropic.
- Effective, steroid-free topical for mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis
- Superior skin clearance and faster itch relief versus vehicle
- Favorable safety with negligible systemic exposure; usable in infants from 3 months
- Occasional application-site pain or erythema
- Crisaborole's boron-based benzoxaborole ring is what lets it bind and inhibit PDE4 in the skin.
- It was the first non-steroidal topical PDE4 inhibitor approved for eczema (FDA, 2016).
- Because it barely enters the bloodstream, it has no effect on the brain; it is on this PDE4 list purely for class completeness, not as a nootropic.
Mechanism
A benzoxaborole that inhibits PDE4 locally in the skin, raising and reducing TNF-alpha and other inflammatory cytokines. The cAMP/PKA/ activity is confined to the skin; systemic exposure is negligible, so there is no central-nervous-system rationale.
receptor fingerprint
PDE4 (skin-localized)Inhibits
Skin inflammation (atopic dermatitis)Reduces
PruritusRelieves
TNF-alpha and inflammatory cytokinesSuppresses
Evidencehow good the literature is
Human RCTs (skin): the AD-301 and AD-302 pivotal trials showed ISGA treatment success superior to vehicle, with faster pruritus relief and a low adverse-event rate over a 48-week safety extension; a Phase IV infant study confirmed limited systemic exposure. Cognition: none.
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
Well tolerated. The main adverse effect is application-site burning or stinging (roughly 2-4% treatment-related). There is no significant systemic toxicity and it is not emetogenic; a very different profile from oral PDE4 inhibitors.
History
Developed by Anacor Pharmaceuticals as AN2728 and approved by the FDA in December 2016 (Anacor was later acquired by Pfizer), crisaborole was the first non-steroidal topical PDE4 inhibitor for atopic dermatitis, offering a steroid-free option for long-term eczema control.
Reputation
Well regarded in dermatology as a safe, steroid-free topical for mild-to-moderate eczema, valued especially for sensitive areas and pediatric use. It has no reputation; and no rationale; as a cognitive or nootropic agent.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
A genuinely approved, effective topical eczema anti-inflammatory. As a cognition compound it is essentially irrelevant: there is no systemic exposure and no CNS data. It belongs on this list only to round out the PDE4 class.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2016first citedEfficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment, a novel, nonsteroidal phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) i…
- 2020most recentSafety, Effectiveness, and Pharmacokinetics of Crisaborole in Infants Aged 3 to < 24 Months wit…
- 1.Efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment, a novel, nonsteroidal phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor for the topical treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children and adults.
- 2.Long-term safety of crisaborole ointment 2% in children and adults with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.
- 3.Efficacy and Safety of Crisaborole Ointment, 2%, for the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis Across Racial and Ethnic Groups.
- 4.Safety, Effectiveness, and Pharmacokinetics of Crisaborole in Infants Aged 3 to < 24 Months with Mild-to-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: A Phase IV Open-Label Study (CrisADe CARE 1).
4 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
Does crisaborole help memory or cognition?
No. It is a topical eczema drug with negligible systemic absorption and no CNS activity. It appears on this PDE4 list only for class completeness.
What is it approved for?
Mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema) in patients aged three months and older, applied as a 2% ointment twice daily.
Is it a steroid?
No. It is a non-steroidal PDE4 inhibitor, which is part of why it is used for long-term and sensitive-area eczema care.
Adverse effects
- Occasional application-site pain or erythema
Notes and cautions
- Application-site burning or stinging (~2-4%)
- No meaningful systemic toxicity