fusidic acid at a glance
Medicine class
Fusidane antibiotic, principally active against susceptible staphylococci.
Resistance
Extended or repeated use can encourage bacterial resistance or contact sensitisation.
Key systemic interaction
Systemic fusidic acid must not be taken with statins because severe muscle injury can occur.
What is fusidic acid used for?
The selected products are licensed for infections caused by susceptible organisms.
Cream: non-severe, superficial and limited skin infections, including impetigo, superficial folliculitis, sycosis barbae, paronychia and erythrasma.
Oral suspension: systemic staphylococcal infections, including skin or wound infection, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, septicaemia, endocarditis and infection associated with cystic fibrosis.
Intravenous sodium fusidate: susceptible staphylococcal infections when oral treatment is inappropriate or gastrointestinal absorption is unpredictable.
How does fusidic acid work?
Fusidic acid targets bacterial elongation factor G on the ribosome, disrupting bacterial protein production and preventing susceptible bacteria from growing effectively.
fusidic acid preparations and strengths
Cream
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 20 mg/g
How to take fusidic acid
Follow the product label and prescriber’s instructions for the formulation supplied.
Cream: wash your hands, apply a thin layer to affected skin and avoid the eyes. Wash your hands afterwards unless they are being treated.
Cream residue on clothing or bedding can increase flammability. Wash fabrics regularly and keep them away from smoking and naked flames.
Oral suspension: shake well and measure using the supplied device. The product information advises against dilution.
Intravenous sodium fusidate must be prepared and administered by a healthcare professional through a suitable vein.
fusidic acid side effects
Common or expected effects
- Cream: local burning, pain, irritation, itching, redness, rash or dermatitis, although topical adverse effects are uncommon.
- Oral suspension: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, abdominal discomfort or pain, and tiredness.
- Intravenous formulation: vein irritation, spasm or thrombophlebitis; raised liver enzymes, bilirubin or jaundice may occur.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty.
- Blistering, peeling or widespread rash, mouth or eye sores, fever or swollen glands.
- Jaundice or other evidence of liver injury during systemic treatment.
- Muscle pain, tenderness or weakness suggesting rhabdomyolysis, particularly with statin exposure.
- Unexplained bleeding, bruising or recurrent infections, which may indicate a blood-cell disorder.
fusidic acid in pregnancy
Topical fusidic acid has negligible systemic exposure and can be used during pregnancy. Evidence for systemic treatment is limited; oral or intravenous use requires assessment of the expected benefit and potential fetal risk.
fusidic acid while breastfeeding
Topical fusidic acid is compatible with breastfeeding because maternal absorption is low. Do not apply it directly to the breast, prevent the infant touching treated skin and wash your hands after application. Systemic treatment requires individual specialist assessment because fusidic acid enters breast milk.
fusidic acid interactions
Important interactions mainly concern oral or intravenous fusidic acid. Clinically significant interactions are not expected with topical formulations because systemic absorption is minimal.
Statins
Systemic co-administration must be avoided because potentially fatal rhabdomyolysis has occurred.
Oral anticoagulants, including coumarin derivatives
Systemic treatment may increase anticoagulant exposure and bleeding risk, requiring closer monitoring and clinical review.
Common questions about fusidic acid
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What type of antibiotic is fusidic acid?
A fusidane antibiotic with particular activity against susceptible staphylococci.
Can fusidic acid cream be put in the eyes?
No. Skin cream can irritate the eye and should be kept away from it.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.