Fucidin 20mg/g ointment is indicated either alone or in combination with systemic therapy, in the treatment of primary and secondary skin infections caused by sensitive strains of Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus spp and Corynebacterium minutissimum. Primary skin infections that may be expected to respond to treatment with fusidic acid applied topically include: impetigo contagiosa, superficial folliculitis, sycosis barbae, paronychia and erythrasma; also such secondary skin infections as infected eczematoid dermatitis, infected contact dermatitis and infected cuts /abrasions.

Posology

Adults and Paediatric Population

Uncovered lesions - apply gently, three or four times daily.

Covered lesions - less frequent applications may be adequate.

Method of administration

Cutaneous use.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Bacterial resistance among staphylococcus aureus has been reported to occur with the use of topical Fucidin. As with all antibiotics, extended or recurrent use may increase the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.

Extended or recurrent use may increase the risk of developing contact sensitisation.

Fucidin ointment contains cetyl alcohol and hydrous lanolin. These excipients may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis). Fucidin ointment contains butylhydroxytoluene (E321) which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis) or irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes.

When Fucidin ointment is used on the face; care should be taken to avoid the eyes as the excipients in the ointment may cause conjunctival irritation.

Instruct patients not to smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.

No interaction studies have been performed. Interactions with systemically administered medicinal products are considered minimal as the systemic absorption of topical Fucidin is negligible.

Pregnancy

No effects during pregnancy are anticipated, since systemic exposure to topically-applied fusidic acid/sodium fusidate is negligible. Topical Fucidin can be used during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

No effects on the breast-fed new-born/infant are anticipated since the systemic exposure of topically-applied fusidic acid/sodium fusidate to the breast-feeding woman is negligible. Topical Fucidin can be used during breast-feeding but it is recommended to avoid applying topical Fucidin on the breast.

Fertility

There are no clinical studies with topical Fucidin regarding fertility. No effects in women of childbearing potential are anticipated, since systemic exposure following topically-applied fusidic acid/sodium fusidate is negligible.

Fucidin administered topically has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or to use machines.

The estimation of the frequency of undesirable effects is based on a pooled analysis of data from clinical trials and from spontaneous reporting.

Based on pooled data from clinical studies including 4724 patients who received Fucidin cream or Fucidin ointment, the frequency of undesirable effects is 2.3%.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions during treatment are various skin reactions such as pruritus and rash, followed by various application site conditions such as pain and irritation, which all occurred in less than 1% of patients.

Hypersensitivity and angioedema have been reported.

Undesirable effects are listed by MedDRA System Organ Class (SOC) and the individual undesirable effects are listed, starting with the most frequently reported. Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Very common ≥ 1/10

Common ≥ 1/100 and <1/10

Uncommon ≥ 1/1,000 and <1/100

Rare ≥ 1/10,000 and <1/1,000

Very rare <1/10,000

Paediatric population

Frequency, type and severity of adverse reactions in children are expected to be the same as in adults.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Overdose is unlikely to occur.

Unless hypersensitivity to Fusidic acid or any of the excipients exists, accidental ingestion of Fucidin ointment is unlikely to cause any harm. The total quantity of fusidic acid (30 g Fucidin ointment contains 576 mg fusidic acid) will usually not exceed the approved total daily oral dose of fusidic acid containing products except in children aged less than 1 year and weighing ≤ 10 kg. Although in this instance a child of this particular age group is unlikely to ingest a whole tube of Fucidin ointment. The concentration of the excipients is too low to constitute a safety risk.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Other antibiotics for topical use, ATC code: D06AX01

Fusidic acid is a potent topical antibacterial agent. Fusidic acid and its salts show fat and water solubility and strong surface activity and exhibit unusual ability to penetrate intact skin. Concentrations of 0.03 - 0.12 microgram/ml inhibit nearly all strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Topical application of fusidic acid is also effective against streptococci, corynebacteria, neisseria and certain clostridia.

In vitro studies show that fusidic acid can penetrate intact human skin. The degree of penetration depends on factors such as the duration of exposure to fusidic acid and the condition of the skin. Fusidic acid is excreted mainly in the bile with little excreted in the urine.

There are no pre-clinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of the SPC.

Cetyl alcohol

Lanolin (wool fat)

White soft paraffin

Liquid paraffin

All-rac-α -tocopherol

Butylhydroxytoluene (E321).

Not applicable.

Unopened container: 3 years.

After first opening of container: 3 months.

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

For storage conditions after first opening of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.

Aluminium tubes of 3 g, 5 g, 10 g, 15 g, 25 g and 30 g.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

None.