Sodium fusidate (fusidic acid)
Please note: This is for information only.
Refer to local guidelines for treatment recommendations.
- Bactericidal
- Usual adult dose: 250mg – 500mg bd or tds
- Excreted in bile therefore no need to reduce dose if renal impairment.
- Monitor LFTs during therapy
- Mostly used with another anti-staphylococcal agent to prevent resistance.
- Penetrates well into bone and tissue – including necrotic tissue
- Resistance develops quickly if used as monotherapy for systemic infections.
- Topical treatment also available for conjunctivitis and minor skin sepsis.*
Main indications:
- Adjunctive therapy for complicated staphylococcal infections
- Active against most strains of:
- Staphylococcus aureus – including MRSA*
Not active against most strains of:
- Coliforms
- Pseudomonas
- Anaerobes
*Many “impetigo” strains of S aureus are now fusidic acid resistant.