Pharmacy Products in Europe and Greece¶
This page lists specific products available in European and Greek pharmacies for each substance category. It is a companion to Products and Substances and Treatments and Solutions.
For each group, prescription status in the EU/Greece is noted where known. Always verify current availability and reimbursement with your pharmacy or prescriber, as stock and reimbursement conditions change.
Emollients and barrier moisturisers¶
These are available without a prescription in Greek pharmacies and are the foundation of daily eczema care. Regular twice-daily or more frequent emollient application is recommended by all major guidelines (NICE, AAP 2025, EuroGuiDerm 2024) as the cornerstone of AD management.
Important: Aqueous cream (crème aquatique) contains sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and should not be used as a leave-on moisturiser. It is approved only as a rinse-off wash substitute. The NHS explicitly warns against using it as an emollient.
| Product | Key substances | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eucerin AtopiControl (cream, lotion, acute cream, face cream, hand cream) | Licochalcone A, ceramides | Widely available across Europe; fragrance-free; specific acute-flare formulations available; suitable from 3 months |
| Bioderma Atoderm (cream, PP, intensive baume, gel moussant) | Glycerol, niacinamide, microbiome-supporting complex | Available in Greek pharmacies; the Atoderm PP "eczema" line is formulated specifically for atopic skin |
| A-Derma Exomega Control (cream, emollient balm, oil) | Rhealba oat extract, ceramides | French pharmacy brand; available in Greece through pharmacy and online pharmacy |
| CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | Ceramides 1/3/6-II, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Widely available across European pharmacies including Greece; fragrance-free |
| Cetaphil Restoraderm | Ceramides, niacinamide, sunflower oil | Available in European pharmacies; specifically formulated for atopic skin |
| Avène XeraCalm A.D. (cream, cleansing oil) | I-modulia (microbiome), ceramides | Available in Greek pharmacies; Avène Thermal Spring Water base |
| La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M | Shea butter, niacinamide, microbiome rebalancing complex | Available in Greek pharmacies |
| Mustela Stelatopia (cream, foam bath, body milk) | Sunflower oil distillate, ceramides | Designed for babies and young children with atopic skin; available in Greek pharmacies |
References: Eucerin AtopiControl product range · Bioderma international · NHS: Emollients for eczema · NICE CG57: Atopic eczema in under 12s — emollient guidance
Topical corticosteroids¶
All topical corticosteroids require a prescription in Greece. Strength must be matched to age, body area, and severity. Milder steroids (mild/moderate) are usually prescribed first; potent steroids are reserved for short-term use under medical supervision.
| Product (EU brand name) | Active substance | Strength / potency class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocortisone cream/ointment (various generics) | Hydrocortisone 1% | Mild | Lowest-potency option; standard first choice for face and infants; prescription required in Greece for most formulations |
| Locoid (cream, ointment, lotion) | Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% | Moderate | Available across Europe; commonly prescribed for children |
| Advantan (cream, ointment, emulsion) | Methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1% | Potent | Once-daily application; available in Greece; commonly prescribed for children and face with caution |
| Elocon (cream, ointment, lotion) | Mometasone furoate 0.1% | Potent | Once-daily application; available across Europe including Greece |
| Betnovate (cream, ointment) | Betamethasone valerate 0.1% | Potent | Available in EU; usually reserved for adults or brief use on lichenified areas |
| Diprosone | Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% | Very potent | Short-term use only under supervision |
References: EMA — topical corticosteroids review · NHS on mometasone (Elocon) · Topical steroids — DermNet NZ · NICE CG57: Topical corticosteroids for atopic eczema
Calcineurin inhibitors (topical immunomodulators)¶
These require a prescription. They are steroid-sparing options especially useful for the face, eyelids, neck, and skin folds.
Tacrolimus — Protopic (LEO Pharma)¶
EMA-approved since 2002. Available in Greece with a prescription (with a prescription / με ιατρική συνταγή).
| Strength | Age group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Protopic 0.03% ointment | Children ≥ 2 years | Starting strength for children |
| Protopic 0.1% ointment | Adults and adolescents ≥ 16 years | Not used in younger children |
References: EMA — Protopic · Galinos.gr — Protopic
Pimecrolimus — Elidel (various manufacturers)¶
EMA-approved for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis from age 2. Prescription required. The brand Elidel (1% cream) is the main EU product.
References: EMA — Elidel referral
Newer nonsteroidal topical options (prescription)¶
Crisaborole — Staquis / Eucrisa¶
Crisaborole 2% ointment (Staquis in EU, Eucrisa in US) received EMA marketing authorisation in March 2020, but the authorisation was voluntarily withdrawn in January 2022 by Pfizer for commercial reasons. Staquis is not currently available in Europe or Greece. Families reading about crisaborole from US sources should know it is not a European option at this time.
References: EMA — Staquis · Wikipedia — Crisaborole
Roflumilast cream — Zoryve (Arcutis)¶
FDA-approved in the US. No EMA approval as of April 2026. Not currently available in European or Greek pharmacies. Families may encounter it in US-based information sources but it remains unavailable in Europe.
References: FDA approval — roflumilast cream · Everyone.org — Roflumilast in Europe
Ruxolitinib cream — Opzelura (Incyte)¶
EMA approved Opzelura in 2023 for non-segmental vitiligo only. Not approved in Europe for atopic dermatitis. Available in the US for eczema from age 12. Greek families should be aware that Opzelura, if encountered, is not an authorised eczema treatment in Europe.
References: EMA — Opzelura · European Commission approval for vitiligo
Tapinarof cream — VTAMA (Organon/Dermavant)¶
FDA-approved in the US for atopic dermatitis from age 2 (December 2024 / early 2025). No EMA approval or European availability as of April 2026. Not available in Greece.
References: Organon — FDA approval
Biologics (specialist prescription, hospital or specialist clinic)¶
Biologics are initiated by specialists (dermatologists, allergists, or paediatric specialists) and are not dispensed as standard pharmacy items. They are administered by injection.
| Product | Active substance | EU/EMA approval for AD | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dupixent (Sanofi/Regeneron) | Dupilumab | Yes — EMA approved | From 6 months |
| Adtralza (LEO Pharma) | Tralokinumab | Yes — EMA approved (2021) | From 12 years |
| Ebglyss (Lilly) | Lebrikizumab | Yes — EMA approved (November 2023) | From 12 years |
| Nemluvio / Mitchga | Nemolizumab | EMA approved 2024 | From 12 years (2026 data in ages 2–11 ongoing) |
References: EMA — Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) · EMA — Dupixent (dupilumab) · EMA — Adtralza (tralokinumab) · European AD biologics access guidance — EuroGuiDerm 2024
Oral systemic therapies (specialist prescription)¶
These are oral medicines for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis not controlled by topical treatment. Initiated and monitored by specialists.
| Product | Active substance | EU/EMA approval for AD | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olumiant (Eli Lilly) | Baricitinib | Yes — EMA approved for AD from age 2 (extended October 2023) | From 2 years |
| Rinvoq (AbbVie) | Upadacitinib | Yes — EMA approved | From 12 years |
| Cibinqo (Pfizer) | Abrocitinib | Yes — EMA approved | From 12 years |
Baricitinib (Olumiant) is noteworthy as the only JAK inhibitor with EMA approval for children from age 2 for atopic dermatitis.
References: EMA — Olumiant · EMA — new oral treatment for AD
Supportive products¶
| Product type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bleach bath kits / sodium hypochlorite | Standard household bleach (unscented, without surfactants) diluted following the protocol provided by a clinician; no specific branded bleach bath product is needed. Confirm correct dilution with your doctor or pharmacist. |
| Hypochlorous acid sprays (e.g., Curativa HOCl, Vashe, similar products) | Available from some European pharmacies and online; promising for weepy or infection-prone skin, but specialised paediatric eczema trial data remain limited. |
| Wet wrap materials | Tubular bandages (e.g., Tubifast by Mölnlycke) used under medical guidance; available from medical suppliers and some pharmacies across Europe. |
A note on product availability¶
- Products listed as EMA-approved are authorised for the EU market, but individual country listing, pharmacy stock, and national reimbursement (including Greek EOPYY reimbursement for biologics) vary. Always confirm with your prescriber or pharmacist.
- OTC emollients do not require prescriptions and are typically available in Greek pharmacies and pharmacy-affiliated online shops.
- US-centric eczema resources sometimes describe products (crisaborole, roflumilast cream, ruxolitinib cream for eczema, tapinarof) that are not available in Europe. This page flags those explicitly to avoid confusion.