Medications
Certain drugs are given to people with vitiligo to restore some skin color. Doctors typically recommend drugs that help control inflammation. These are usually either corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. [3]
Topical application of some corticosteroid creams may be prescribed to people with vitiligo. This may help return color to some discolored patches and is more effective when the vitiligo is in its early stages. Application is easy, but you may not observe any effects on your skin for months.
Negative side effects of corticosteroid use include skin thinning. It may also cause streaks to appear on your skin. This is why doctors often recommend milder forms of this medication for children and for adults who have large swaths of discolored skin. Doctors may prescribe injections or pills instead of creams to people whose vitiligo is developing too fast.
Calcineurin inhibitors are more frequently recommended for people with small patches of discoloration. Tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) are some of the common ointments doctors prescribe. You should be careful about using these drugs because they may increase your risk of skin cancer and lymphoma.