Fusidinezuur CF

Quick links to important sections

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Fusidinezuur CF

Property Description
Active ingredient Fusidic Acid (Fusidinezuur)
Form Topical (Cream, Ointment, Eye Drops) or Systemic (Tablet, Suspension)
Pharmacological class Fusidane Antibiotic / Bacterial Protein Synthesis Inhibitor
Common use Treating bacterial infections, especially Staphylococcus
Origin Derived from the fungus Fusidium coccineum

Fusidinezuur CF is the common name used in the Netherlands for medicines containing the active ingredient fusidic acid, an antibiotic utilized to treat specific bacterial infections. It is classified as a fusidane antibiotic and a bacterial protein synthesis inhibitor, making it chemically and functionally distinct from many common broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Pharmacologically, fusidic acid is effective against susceptible bacteria by stopping their growth, an action known as a bacteriostatic effect. This medicine targets specific pathogens, such as Staphylococcus species, which are frequently responsible for common skin and soft tissue infections.


Where Does Fusidic Acid Come From, and What Forms Does it Take?

The core active ingredient, fusidic acid, has a natural origin, being derived from the fungus Fusidium coccineum. As an established antimicrobial agent, it generally requires a prescription (Rx Status).

Various preparations contain fusidic acid, including topical creams and ointments for external use and oral formulations for internal use. The most frequent preparations are for topical administration. The availability of multiple forms ensures appropriate targeting for either surface-level or deeper, systemic infections.


Why is Fusidinezuur CF Used for Bacterial Infections?

The general therapeutic purpose of Fusidinezuur CF is to contain and resolve infections caused by susceptible bacteria. The drug is recognized for its potency against these targeted pathogens.

Fusidic acid holds significant value because it often remains active against strains of bacteria that have developed resistance to other standard antibiotics. Recognized for its targeted efficacy against resistant bacteria, it provides a treatment alternative in healthcare settings where first-line drugs might be ineffective. By preventing bacterial multiplication, Fusidinezuur CF helps create an environment where the body's natural defenses can overcome the infection.

What side effects are possible with Fusidinezuur CF?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Fusidinezuur CF is predominantly defined by local skin reactions at the application site, as documented by official regulatory bodies. The reported adverse reactions are formally classified by frequency, providing a clear structure for understanding the medicine’s risk.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The table below summarizes the possible side effects based on how frequently they are reported in regulatory documentation:

Frequency Classification Examples of Adverse Reactions (System-Organ Class)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) Application site reactions (e.g., pain, burning sensation, irritation), skin disorders (e.g., dermatitis, rash, pruritus, erythema)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) Serious allergic reactions (hypersensitivity, angioedema), generalized rash, urticaria, blister, conjunctivitis

Serious Safety Considerations and Restrictions

Serious Reactions: While Rare, hypersensitivity reactions and angioedema are documented serious adverse reactions that require immediate attention as they involve swelling and allergic response.

Drug-Drug Interaction Risk: A major regulatory safety restriction exists concerning the systemic use of fusidic acid. When combined with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), there is a documented risk of rhabdomyolysis, a serious muscle-related disorder. Although this product is topical, this known systemic interaction mandates that this restriction is formally noted in the safety information.

Usage Considerations: Regulatory documents note that extended or recurrent use carries an increased risk of developing antimicrobial resistance and contact sensitisation. Caution is advised when applying the product to the face to prevent contact with the eyes, which can lead to irritation. Safety information also advises against application on the breast area during breast-feeding, despite negligible systemic exposure.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

Official regulatory information describes the overdose profile for Fusidic Acid (Fusidinezuur CF) primarily in terms of low acute toxicity and mandated precautionary actions.

Overdose Scope

Feature Official Regulatory Statement
Documented overdose manifestations Acute systemic overdose may present with gastrointestinal disturbances. Topical overdose is unlikely to cause harm due to minimal systemic absorption.
Physiological systems affected Gastrointestinal system (transient disturbances only).
Emergency-response statements Management should be directed towards the alleviation of symptoms. Symptomatic and supportive treatment is recommended. Dialysis will not increase the clearance of the active substance.
Population-specific overdose notes The total quantity in a cream tube may exceed the oral daily dose for children aged less than 1 year and weighing le 10 kg; this population requires specific precautionary action upon ingestion.

When to Seek Urgent Help

  • Contact the doctor if the cream is accidentally swallowed by an infant.
  • Contact a doctor or pharmacist if worried or notice any effect after accidental ingestion.

Resulting Overdose Structure

  • Acute overdose is generally classified as mild and is primarily managed with supportive care, as no specific antidote is known.
  • The most critical regulatory mandate is to seek medical attention when the topical cream is accidentally swallowed by an infant, reflecting a precautionary concern regarding accidental dose exposure.

Connection to the overall overdose profile: Regulatory documents define the overdose profile by emphasizing the mild nature of documented systemic symptoms and the low acute toxicity associated with topical ingestion. The required immediate action is to contact a doctor or pharmacist, as mandated by official labeling for observation, rather than initiating specific medical interventions.

Therapeutic Uses of Fusidinezuur CF

Fusidinezuur CF is considered relevant for addressing infections caused by susceptible bacteria, most notably certain Staphylococcus species, which includes its common use in managing both skin and eye infections.

Targeting Primary Bacterial Skin Infections and Symptoms

The medication is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed for infections. This includes conditions such as impetigo, folliculitis, boils, and bacterial infections complicating existing issues like certain cuts, abrasions, ulcers, or chronic skin conditions like infected eczema.

The primary purpose is to provide support that helps ease the overall symptom burden associated with the infection. The core benefit is that the medication assists with maintaining functional stability, which supports easing the visible manifestations of infection, such as pus, swelling, and crusting.

“The primary purpose is to provide support that helps ease the overall symptom burden associated with the infection.”

Treating Systemic and Resistant Bacterial Issues

In its non-topical forms, Fusidinezuur CF is utilized in conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort, often involving deep infections. This includes severe skin/soft tissue infections and deep infections of the bone and joints. Its relevance against certain resistant Staphylococcus strains (like some MRSA strains) is applied when appropriate, as it is considered relevant for addressing bacteria that may not respond to other therapeutic approaches.

Quick Fact: Relief for Inflammatory Symptoms
Fusidinezuur CF may assist with managing symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states, which includes easing localized pain, swelling, and tenderness at the site of the infection.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who can and cannot use Fusidinezuur CF? — Eligibility Profile

This section outlines the official criteria for using Fusidinezuur CF (fusidic acid) based on regulatory documents.


Contraindications (Must Not Use)

Category Restriction
Allergies Individuals with a known hypersensitivity to fusidic acid or any of the product's excipients (non-active ingredients) must not use this medicine.

Eligibility by Population

Category Eligibility Status
Adults and Children Use is documented and permitted for both adult and pediatric patients (children).

Conditions and Contexts Requiring Special Consideration

Category Restriction/Context
Infection Type The medicine is only suitable for skin infections caused by bacteria that are susceptible to fusidic acid.
Non-Susceptible Bacteria Use is not recommended for infections caused by organisms resistant to fusidic acid, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Application Site When applying to the face, care must be taken to avoid the eyes, as the formulation may cause irritation.
Long-term Use Repeated or prolonged use should be avoided due to the increased risk of developing bacterial resistance and contact sensitization.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory documents primarily focus the interaction profile of the active ingredient, fusidic acid, on the risks associated with its systemic use (oral or injection). For topical products like Fusidinezuur CF, systemic interactions are considered minimal or unlikely due to very low absorption into the bloodstream.

Documented Systemic Interactions

Interacting Product Category Regulatory Statement Rationale/Action Required
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) Contraindicated Risk of severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis); statin must be discontinued during fusidic acid therapy.
HIV Protease Inhibitors (e.g., Ritonavir, Saquinavir) Not Recommended May lead to increased plasma concentrations of both medicines and potential liver toxicity.
Oral Anticoagulants (Coumarin Derivatives) Use with Caution May alter the anticoagulant effect (e.g., increased effect), requiring careful monitoring and dose adjustment of the anticoagulant.

Interaction-Related Constraints

The most significant constraint is the absolute contraindication of co-administration with statins to prevent life-threatening rhabdomyolysis. Additionally, due to the metabolic pathway of fusidic acid, patients with hepatic dysfunction require cautious use and mandatory monitoring of liver function during systemic treatment. This structure ensures that potential exposure-altering combinations are either strictly forbidden or managed through mandated monitoring and dose adjustments.

Mechanism of Action

Targeting the Elongation Factor G and Protein Translation

Fusidic acid acts by highly specific molecular targeting within susceptible bacteria, fundamentally disrupting their ability to grow and multiply. The mechanism centers on the essential bacterial enzyme Elongation Factor G (EF-G), a protein crucial for moving the 70S ribosome during protein construction. Fusidic acid functions as a specific inhibitor by stabilizing the EF-G/ribosome complex after a critical step called translocation. This action physically traps the EF-G, preventing its necessary turnover and recycling for the next round of amino acid addition.

Arresting Bacterial Growth and Facilitating Clearance

This molecular blockade results in a complete and immediate cessation of new protein synthesis, which prevents the bacterial cell from synthesizing the components needed for division and maintenance. This leads to a bacteriostatic effect—the bacteria are prevented from multiplying. The resulting physiological consequence is a static bacterial population, which then allows the host's natural immune defenses to address the existing, non-replicating pathogens.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Fusidinezuur CF

Fusidinezuur CF is applied to the skin (cutaneous use). The following instructions define the administration schedule and procedural steps for using the medicine.


Official Administration Guidelines

Administration Scope Instructions
Route of Administration Topical application to the skin.
Dosing Schedule Apply to the affected area three or four times daily.
Application Duration Treatment should generally be for a maximum of seven days.
Age-Group Rules Dosage is consistent for adults and children.

Procedural Steps

Application Technique and Missed Doses

There is a standard sequence for using the preparation:

  1. Preparation: Before first use, push the small spike in the cap through the seal on the tube.
  2. Application: Apply a small, thin layer of the cream or ointment gently onto the infected skin area.
  3. Post-Application Care: Wash hands thoroughly after application, unless the hands are the area being treated.
  4. Special Conditions: If the treated area is to be covered with a bandage or gauze dressing, the frequency of application may be reduced to once or twice daily.
  5. Missed Dose: If a dose is missed, apply it as soon as possible, and then continue to use it at the usual time; do not apply a double dose to make up for the missed one.

These guidelines establish a standardized administration protocol that mandates consistent application frequency and duration, ensuring correct use.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Fusidinezuur CF

Research has explored whether fusidic acid (also known as fusidinezuur) has been studied for use for people with cystic fibrosis (CF), particularly to help manage long-term lung infections caused by certain bacteria. Because CF often involves persistent lung infections that are hard to manage, scientists look for new ways to study these infections, and fusidic acid is one of the medications that has been investigated.

Most of the research on fusidic acid in the context of CF lung infections involves studying whether the bacteria often found in the lungs of people with CF, such as Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) and sometimes Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are susceptible to the drug. These studies often involve examining bacteria samples in a laboratory setting. A limited number of clinical studies have looked at its use directly in people with CF.

Various studies have explored fusidic acid's potential use against infections, especially those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Some of the laboratory and early clinical studies indicate that this type of bacteria may be susceptible to the drug. However, it is important to remember that bacteria can develop ways to resist, or become immune to, antibiotics over time, which is a key challenge studied in this area of research.

What remains uncertain is the long-term effects of using fusidic acid as a regular approach for CF-related lung infections and exactly how it compares to other established antibiotic treatments. The research base is limited, and more studies are needed to fully understand the effects of fusidic acid for CF patients and its potential value in different patient groups.

Use for Chronic Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) Infection

Research has specifically investigated fusidic acid for use in managing long-lasting or chronic lung infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus in people with CF. This type of infection can be very common and difficult to manage completely.

Some studies have involved looking at how fusidic acid works when it is combined with other antibiotics. Findings from these smaller-scale studies sometimes suggest that studies have examined whether combining medications, including fusidic acid, may lead to control of Staph infections. These studies focus on areas such as how the drug is absorbed in the body of a person with CF, which can sometimes be different from other patient groups. Researchers seek to determine if combination treatments affect the bacteria.

Overall, the evidence exploring the association between fusidic acid use and changes in lung function or the frequency of flare-ups in people with CF and chronic Staph infections is quite limited. While the drug is generally understood to be active against Staph bacteria in general, there is not a large body of evidence from major clinical trials specifically for its long-term use in CF. Therefore, its role in managing this condition is still being explored.

Use for Pulmonary Exacerbations

Pulmonary exacerbations are periods when lung symptoms get worse, often due to a sudden increase in the number of bacteria. Research has explored whether including fusidic acid in the treatment plan during one of these flare-ups changes patient outcomes.

Studies that have looked into this use often compare a treatment plan that includes fusidic acid to a standard treatment plan without it. These are generally small studies or case reports, which offer initial observations but are not the same as large-scale, controlled trials. Some preliminary findings suggest that fusidic acid has been studied as an addition, especially if the exacerbation is clearly caused by bacteria that the drug is known to be active against.

However, the evidence gathered so far does not offer a clear picture of how much fusidic acid is associated with outcomes during an exacerbation compared to other antibiotics already in use. There are not enough large studies to determine whether its use affects how quickly patients recover or how well they maintain their lung function after treatment. More research is needed to determine its role in the immediate management of these acute worsening of symptoms.

Use in Special Populations (e.g., Pediatric Patients)

Research often needs to specifically look at how a medication works in children (pediatric patients) because their bodies may process medications differently than adults. For fusidic acid in the context of CF, the evidence regarding its specific effects and use in children is particularly sparse.

The studies that do exist often include both adults and children, or they focus on the general use of the drug rather than its use in CF children specifically. Therefore, while some of the information about how fusidic acid works against bacteria applies to all age groups, there is a lack of targeted research that clearly outlines the use of fusidic acid for children with CF.

This gap means that when it comes to children with CF, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the use of fusidic acid. Decisions about its use in this younger population are based on limited specific evidence.

Key Studies & References

  1. Antimicrobial Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis
  2. Antibiotherapy in Children with Cystic Fibrosis—An Extensive Review

How should Fusidinezuur CF be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Fusidinezuur CF (Fusidic Acid Cream)

Official regulatory information defines specific requirements for storing, handling, and disposing of this medicine to ensure stability and public safety.

Storage and Stability Requirement Official Regulatory Statement
Temperature Control Do not store above 25°C (Controlled Room Temperature).
Child Safety Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Stability After Opening Use within 4 weeks after the tube is opened.
Handling Precaution Do not smoke or go near naked flames—fabric (clothing, bedding, etc.) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and presents a serious fire hazard.

Disposal Rules:

To protect the environment, unused medicinal product or waste material must be disposed of in accordance with local requirements. Medicines must not be thrown away via household waste or wastewater. Consult a pharmacist for proper disposal methods.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Fusidinezuur CF found in:

A-Z Index: