sodium fusidate at a glance
Medicine class
Antibiotic, particularly active against susceptible staphylococci
Available selected forms
A skin ointment and oral film-coated tablets
Important tablet interaction
Systemic sodium fusidate must not be taken with statins because severe muscle injury can occur
Ointment fire safety
Treated fabric burns more easily; avoid smoking and naked flames
What is sodium fusidate used for?
The selected products are licensed for infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
The ointment treats primary skin infections including impetigo, superficial folliculitis, sycosis barbae, paronychia and erythrasma.
The ointment also treats secondary infection of dermatitis, cuts and abrasions.
The tablets treat susceptible staphylococcal infections, including skin and wound infections, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, septicaemia, endocarditis and infection associated with cystic fibrosis.
How does sodium fusidate work?
Sodium fusidate acts as fusidic acid in the body. It binds bacterial elongation factor G while it is attached to the ribosome, disrupting bacterial protein production and preventing susceptible bacteria from growing effectively.
How to take sodium fusidate
Use the prescribed formulation exactly as directed. Swallow tablets with a glass of water. Apply ointment gently to affected skin with clean hands, avoid the eyes and wash your hands afterwards unless the hands are being treated.
The ointment is for skin use only and should not be swallowed or placed inside the body.
If ointment enters an eye, rinse it with cold water; seek medical advice if pain or visual problems develop.
Keep ointment-treated clothing, bedding and dressings away from cigarettes and naked flames.
sodium fusidate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Tablets: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort or pain, indigestion and tiredness.
- Ointment: application-site pain, burning, stinging, irritation or redness; itching, rash or eczema may occur.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty or facial or throat swelling.
- Systemic treatment: severe blistering, peeling or widespread rash, sometimes with fever or other organ involvement.
- Systemic treatment: muscle pain, weakness or tenderness suggesting rhabdomyolysis.
- Systemic treatment: jaundice, severe liver disturbance, reduced urine, unusual bleeding or recurrent infections.
sodium fusidate in pregnancy
Topical sodium fusidate can be used during pregnancy because systemic exposure is expected to be negligible. Systemic tablets are preferably avoided as a precaution because pregnancy data are limited; treatment decisions should be made with the prescriber.
sodium fusidate while breastfeeding
Topical treatment can generally be used while breastfeeding because absorption is limited, but it should not be applied to the breast and the infant should not contact treated skin. Fusidic acid may enter milk after systemic treatment, so the prescriber should assess whether breastfeeding or systemic therapy should be interrupted, particularly for a premature or unwell infant.
sodium fusidate interactions
Clinically important interactions mainly concern systemic tablets; interactions from topical ointment are expected to be minimal because absorption is negligible.
Statins
Do not combine with systemic sodium fusidate because potentially fatal rhabdomyolysis can occur; medication management must be arranged by the prescriber.
Oral anticoagulants, including coumarin derivatives
Systemic sodium fusidate may increase anticoagulant exposure and bleeding risk, requiring closer anticoagulation monitoring and possible adjustment.
HIV protease inhibitors, including ritonavir and saquinavir
Combined systemic use may increase exposure to both medicines and cause liver toxicity, so concomitant use is not recommended.
Common questions about sodium fusidate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is sodium fusidate the same as fusidic acid?
Sodium fusidate is a salt of fusidic acid and provides the same active antibacterial component. Product names may use either term depending on the formulation.
What infections do sodium fusidate tablets treat?
They are licensed for susceptible staphylococcal infections involving sites such as skin, wounds, bone, lungs, blood, heart tissue and cystic-fibrosis-associated infection.
What is sodium fusidate ointment used for?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.