Fucidin

• Used to treat bacterial infections
• Contains an antibiotic
• Also suitable for use in children

Fucidin is an inflammatory medicine for topical use on the skin. The cream/ointment contains fusidic acid, a type of antibiotic. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections. Fucidin is used to treat conditions where the skin is infected by bacteria, such as impetigo and infected dermatitis (inflammation of the skin).

Apply the cream or ointment thinly to clean skin. The cream is particularly suitable for treating the scalp and weeping skin conditions. If you use it on your face, be careful to avoid your eyes, mouth and nose. Rinse thoroughly with water should this occur.

The cream expires one month after opening. The ointment expires three months after opening.

Dosage

Dosage varies per person and is determined by a doctor for each specific patient depending on the symptoms. The general dosage guidelines are as follows:

• Adults and children: A thin layer applied to the affected area(s) of skin three times a day. If you have been told to cover the skin with any dressings or bandages you may not need to use the medicine so often.

The doctor will tell you how long you need to use this medicine. Treatment generally lasts one to two weeks, or longer in some cases.

Alcohol/driving

This medicine does not interact with alcohol. Fucidin does not affect your ability to drive.

If you use more/forget to use Fucidin

If you use more Fucidin cream or ointment than you were told to, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to use this medicine, skip the missed dose and continue your dosing schedule as usual. Do not apply an extra dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Keep using this medicine for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Stopping the course too soon may cause the skin infection to return.

Do not use Fucidin if you are allergic to any of its ingredients (see section ‘What Fucidin contains').

When should this medicine be used with caution?

Talk to you doctor before using Fucidin if:

• You are going to use this medicine on your face. Using this medicine near your eyes may cause irritation to the eyes.
• You use the cream regularly or over a long time. Overuse may lead to bacterial resistance, causing this medicine to be less effective.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not use Fucidin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding without consulting a doctor first. If used by breastfeeding mothers, the cream or ointment should not be applied to the chest to avoid the child accidentally ingesting it while feeding.

Other medicines and Fucidin

Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal medicines. Fucidin may interact with other medicines.

Like all medicines, Fucidin can cause side effects, although some people may not experience any. Side effects that are known to be associated with Fucidin include:

Uncommon (may affect up to 10 in 1,000 people):

• Skin irritation (rash, itching, redness) or skin inflammation.
• Skin irritation or pain at application site.

Rare (may affect up to 10 in 10,000 people):

• Allergic reactions, sudden moisture accumulation underneath the skin and in mucous membranes (e.g., throat, tongue), breathing difficulties and/or itching and skin rash (angioedema), skin rash with severe itching and lumps (hives or urticaria), skin rash with blisters.
• Inflammation of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis).

Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you experience any side effects. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

The active substance is fusidic acid. One gram of Fucidin cream or ointment contains 20 mg fusidic acid.

Read the package leaflet before use. The official package leaflet of Fucidin cream and ointment is available for download here.