CLASSIFICATION
Steroid Antibacterials
ACNE
No
WATER RETENTION
No
HBR
No
HEPATOTOXICITY
No
AROMATIZATION
No
MANUFACTURER
Abdi Ibrahim
WAREHOUSE
International Warehouse 2
SUBSTANCE
Sodium Fusidate
What is Fucidin?
Fucidin is a powerful antibiotic designed to combat a range of staphylococcal infections caused by sensitive bacteria. It effectively treats conditions such as skin infections, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, sepsis, wound infections, endocarditis, and superinfected cystic fibrosis.
In instances where oral administration is not feasible due to unreliable gastrointestinal absorption, intravenous delivery of Fucidin is recommended for optimal effectiveness.
Dosage and Administration
Dosage
For treating staphylococcal skin infections:
Adults: - Recommended dosage is 250 mg of sodium fusidate, taken twice daily for a period of 5 to 10 days.
For more severe staphylococcal infections, including osteomyelitis, pneumonia, sepsis, wound infections, endocarditis, and superinfected cystic fibrosis:
Adults: - Standard dosage is 500 mg of sodium fusidate, administered three times daily.
In severe cases, the dosage may be increased or combined with other therapies as needed. No adjustments are necessary for elderly patients or those with renal impairment, as Fucidin is primarily eliminated through bile. Patients undergoing hemodialysis also do not require dosage modifications, as the drug is not significantly removed during the procedure.
Administration Method
Fucidin is intended for oral use.
Special Warnings and Precautions
It's crucial to avoid using statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) alongside systemic Fucidin, as this combination has been linked to rhabdomyolysis, including severe cases. If systemic Fucidin is necessary, statin therapy should be paused during treatment. Patients experiencing muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness must seek immediate medical advice. Statins can be resumed seven days after the last dose of systemic Fucidin. For prolonged systemic Fucidin therapy, careful evaluation of concurrent statin use is essential.
Be aware of the potential for severe skin reactions associated with systemic Fucidin, including Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's syndrome), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. These reactions generally occur within the first weeks of treatment. If any such symptoms arise, Fucidin should be discontinued and not reintroduced.
As fusidic acid is metabolized by the liver and excreted in bile, monitoring liver function during treatment is advised, especially in patients with liver dysfunction or those on medications that could harm the liver. Caution is also warranted for patients with biliary disease or those taking HIV protease inhibitors. Furthermore, fusidic acid may interfere with bilirubin binding to albumin, necessitating careful administration in neonates or patients with impaired bilirubin transport and metabolism to avoid the risk of kernicterus.
Be aware that bacterial resistance can develop with fusidic acid use. As with all antibiotics, prolonged or repeated use increases the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Patients with rare hereditary conditions, including galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption, should avoid this medication due to its lactose content.