What is the drug Fucidine?
Fucidine® is an antibiotic drug from the fusidanine family. Like all antibiotics, it fights against bacterial infections but is not effective against viral infections. Fucidine® is thus particularly formidable against bacteria of the staph type.
Fucidine: how does it work? The active substance in Fucidine® is fusidic acid. This antibiotic molecule is especially effective against bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus non aureus, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, peptostreptococcus and Propionibacterium acnes.
In pharmacies, Fucidine® is only available on medical prescription: this drug is not sold over the counter. This antibiotic exists in different forms:
- Fucidine 2% ® (cream – 15 gram tube),
- Fucidine 2% ® (ointment – 15 gram tube),
- Fucidine Infant 100 mg / 2 ml® (oral suspension – banana / orange flavor – 50 ml bottle with 2 ml measuring spoon),
- Fucidine Child 250 mg / 5 ml® (oral suspension – banana / orange flavor – 90 ml bottle with 5 ml measuring spoon),
- Fucidine 250 mg® (box of 10 white tablets).
To know. Fucidine® is marketed by Leo Pharma laboratories. This antibiotic medication is reimbursed by Social Security: the reimbursement is 65% for oral forms (oral suspensions and tablets) and 35% for topical forms (cream and ointment).
Indications: when to take Fucidine?
The drug Fucidine® is indicated to treat bacterial infections (in particular: staphylococci) of the skin, bones or joints. Dermally, Fucidine® cream or ointment is indicated in the event of:
- Impetigo,
- Bacterial superinfection of skin lesions (we speak of "impetiginized dermatosis"),
- Disinfection of the skin and mucous membranes after a staphylococcal disease (infection with a staph).
Orally, Fucidine® tablets or oral suspension is indicated in the event of:
- Bacterial skin staph infection: impetigo, erysipelas, boil, folliculitis …
- Osteoarticular infections (IOA) staphylococcus: osteomyelitis, arthritis …
To know. The drug Fucidine® is not indicated in the treatment of urinary staph infections (cystitis, etc.) because it is not eliminated in the urine. It is also not prescribed against cerebromeningeal staph infections (meningitis …).
Fucidine: instructions for use. Of course, it is essential to follow the doctor's prescription regarding the dosage of Fucidine®. For information, the reference dosages are:
- For Fucidine 2% ® cream: 1 to 2 applications per day (not in a thick layer), after careful cleaning of the area to be treated. Treatment is limited to a maximum of one week.
- For Fucidine 2% ointment: 1 to 2 applications per day (not in a thick layer), after careful cleaning of the area to be treated. Treatment is limited to a maximum of one week. Caution: in the event of oozing and / or macerated skin lesion, or which is located in the folds of the skin, or in the event of leg ulcer, it is necessary to privilege the cream form.
- For Fucidine Infant 100 mg / 2 ml® and Fucidine Child 250 mg / 5 ml®: 40 to 60 mg per kilo and per day, to be divided into 2 or 3 doses. Thus, for a child weighing 10 kg: 1 measuring spoon of 5 ml of oral suspension for children, morning and evening. The oral suspension should be shaken before use.
- For Fucidine 250 mg®: in adults: 2 tablets, 2 to 3 times a day; in children over 6 years old: 30 to 50 mg per kilo per day.
Fucidine: precautions for use
Warning ! It is strictly forbidden to take Fucidine® (whatever the form) in the following cases:
- If you are allergic to the active substance (fusidic acid),
- Orally: if you are receiving cholesterol-lowering therapy (include: a drug that lowers blood cholesterol) and in particular if it is a drug from the statin family: atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin …
Can you take Fucidine during pregnancy? The Reference Center for Teratogens (CRAT) states that " the use of fusidic acid is possible by the cutaneous route whatever the term of the pregnancy ". Orally, however," we would prefer to use an anti-staphylococcal agent from a family better known during pregnancy ".
And during breastfeeding? Orally, CRAT recommends another " better evaluated anti-staphylococcal "during breastfeeding. Dermal use of fusidic acid is possible during breastfeeding under strict medical supervision and on condition" that the child's skin is not in contact with the product and that, if applied to the nipple, it is cleaned before feeding ".
What are the side effects of Fucidine?
Warning ! If you are under treatment with Fucidine® (especially orally), tell your doctor immediately or go to an emergency department if you notice the appearance of the following symptoms:
- unexplained muscle pain, painful muscle tenderness and / or weakness,
- severe rash with fever and / or fatigue; blisters on the skin, sores in the mouth and / or inflammation of the eyes,
- jaundice – this relates more to the child and the newborn.
The drug Fucidine® can be responsible for side effects, especially when administered orally. The most common side effects (affecting up to 10% of patients) are:
- Stomach pain,
- Vomiting,
- Diarrhea,
- Difficulty digesting,
- Dermal: allergic reactions (similar to eczema) at the point of application.
Sources:
Vidal Encyclopedia
High Authority for Health (HAS)
National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM)
Reference Center for Teratogenic Agents (CRAT)
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