Sodium fusidate (fusidic acid)
General Information
Fusidane antibiotic
Tablets and suspension are restricted formulary antimicrobials: For details see OUH netFormulary
- Intravenous preparation is Non-formulary
AWaRe antibiotic classification: 'Watch'. Use as per guidelines.
For all information regarding interactions, contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding and additional information, see BNF and Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC).
Sodium fusidate tablets and fusidic acid suspension are NOT interchangeable. Seek advice from Pharmacy if changing between formulations.
Dosing
|
|
Oral dose when TABLETS are used* |
Oral dose when SUSPENSION is used* |
|
Skin infection |
250mg BD |
Discuss with pharmacy |
|
Other systemic infections |
500mg TDS, increase to 1g TDS in severe infection |
750mg TDS |
*Sodium fusidate tablets and fusidic acid suspension are NOT interchangeable. Seek advice from Pharmacy if changing between formulations.
Renal and hepatic impairment
Renal impairment
- No dose adjustment is required.
- Not dialysed.
Hepatic impairment
- No dose adjustment is required.
- Use with caution in patients with hepatic dysfunction, or in patients taking potentially hepatotoxic drugs.
- Caution is also required in patients with biliary disease and biliary tract obstruction.
- Monitor LFTs in these cases.
MHRA Drug Safety Updates
MHRA Drug Safety Update (December 2014):
Systemic fusidic acid and interaction with statins
- There is an increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when sodium fusidate is given with statins. Withhold statins whilst patients are taking sodium fusidate. Statin therapy can be re-started 7 days after the last dose of sodium fusidate is taken.
References
- Leo Laboratories Limited. Fucidin 250mg tablets summary of product characteristics. Electronic Medicines Compendium. Last revision of the text 13/7/23. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk Accessed 26/3/26.
- Leo Laboratories Limited. Fucidin 250mg/5ml oral suspension summary of product characteristics. Electronic Medicines Compendium. Last revision of the text 13/7/23. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk Accessed 26/3/26.
- British National Formulary. Sodium Fusidate. BNF online accessed via www.medicinescomplete.com Accessed 26/3/26.
- The Renal Drug Database. Sodium Fusidate. Last updated 23/9/24. Accessed via https://renaldrugdatabase.com Accessed 26/3/26.
- All-Wales Antimicrobial Pharmacists’ Group (2022) Antimicrobial dosing in extremes of body weight in adults. Accessed 26/3/26.
- Sanford guide [online]. Fusidic acid. Last updated 23/3/26. Accessed via https://webedition.sanfordguide.com Accessed 26/3/26.
- MHRA. Drug Safety Update (December 2014) Systemic fusidic acid and interaction with statins. Accessed via https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/systemic-fusidic-acid-and-interaction-with-statins Accessed 26/3/26