Fusidic Acid

Brand/Trade Names: Fucidin, Fucicort, Fucithalmic, Fusibet, Fusidin

Description: Fusidic acid is a bacteriostatic antibiotic that is often used topically in creams and eyedrops, but may also be given systemically as tablets or injections.
Fusidic acid works by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis, specifically by preventing the translocation of the elongation factor G (EF-G) from the ribosome. Fusidic acid is only effective on gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus species and Corynebacterium species. Fusidic acid inhibits bacterial replication and does not kill the bacteria, and is therefore termed “bacteriostatic”.

Uses: Fusidic acid is active in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, most coagulase-negative staphylococci, Corynebacterium species, most clostridium species. Fusidic acid has no useful activity against streptococci, enterococci or most Gram-negative bacteria (except Neisseria, Moraxella, Legionella pneumophila and Bacteroides fragilis). Fusidic acid is active in vitro and clinically against Mycobacterium leprae but has only marginal activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The most important use of fusidic acid clinically is its activity against MRSA. Many strains of MRSA remain sensitive to fusidic acid, but because there is a low genetic barrier to resistance (a single point mutation is all that is required), fusidic acid must never be used on its own to treat MRSA and should be combined with another antimicrobial such as rifampicin. Fusidic acid is often found in topical skin and eye preparations (e.g., Fusibet), a use which has been contested.

Fusidic Acid Formula


Additional Information Data And Resources:
Fusidic Acid Wikipedia Article