Fucidin Cream

What is Fucidin cream?

Fucidin cream is an effective prescription-only medicine that is used to treat infected eczema, dermatitis and other infected skin conditions.

It's a topical treatment, which means you apply it to the affected area. It helps provide relief from symptoms and prevents the condition from getting worse.

It contains the active ingredient fusidic acid, which is an antibiotic.

The cream is only available on prescription, which means you cannot buy fusidic acid cream over the counter in the UK. You will need a doctor (such as a member of our online doctor service team) or pharmacist to prescribe it for you after a medical consultation.

Fucidin cream can be used by most adults — this includes pregnant and breastfeeding women.

You can buy (for eczema that’s infected and other skin infections) online at The Independent Pharmacy by completing an online consultation for our medical team to review.

What does Fucidin cream do?

The active ingredient is fusidic acid, which is an antibiotic.

Fusidic acid works by stopping the bacteria that cause infections from growing and increasing in number. Fusidic acid prevents these bacteria from producing the proteins they require to replicate. This stops the infection from spreading, which causes the bacteria to die and allows the immune system to kill the remaining bacteria.

This means that it can be used to treat a number of bacterial infections, such as infected areas of dermatitis or eczema. Visit this advice page to find out more about the other Fucidin cream uses.

Fucidin cream alternatives

Some people may not want to use Fucidin cream (or be able to) for a number of reasons, such as being allergic to the medicine.

There are a few different alternatives, depending on what you’re using this treatment for.

For example, Fucidin cream is suitable for treating simple infected eczema or dermatitis. But if there is also mild irritation or redness, your doctor may suggest using Fucidin H cream instead. Fucidin H cream also contains a steroid (hydrocortisone) to help ease any inflammation.

Fucibet cream is another Fucidin cream alternative, containing fusidic acid and betamethasone. Fucibet is an effective and fast-acting prescription-only medicine, used where the inflammation is moderate alongside the infection.

Non-prescription alternatives for eczema can include:

• Moisturisers and emollients (come in lotion, cream or ointment form)
• Bath and shower gels
• Cotton gloves (to keep from scratching)
• Antihistamine tablets (to ease itching)

These treatments are often used as preventatives to stop dry skin conditions from getting to the point where they become dry and cracked, which can lead to infection — such as eye infections or other similar infected skin reactions.

Once the skin has become infected, it is important to see a healthcare professional for treatment.

If you’re unsure about whether a treatment is right for you, you can ask our medical team for impartial information and advice before you buy.

How to use Fucidin cream

To use correctly, you need to follow the instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your treatment.

We’ve covered this same information on how to use Fucidin cream below:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before applying the cream
• Apply a thin layer of the cream to the infected area(s)
• Be careful to avoid your eyes if you use it on your face (If you accidentally get any in your eye, wash it out with cold water straight away, then bathe your eye with eyewash if possible)
• Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after each application

Depending on what you’re using this treatment for, you should apply it as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. This will generally be three or four times per day. You may need to apply less frequently if the affected area is protected by a dressing

With sustained use of this medicine, there is an increased risk that an infection will become resistant to Fucidin. Speak to your GP if you do not notice any improvement within a few days.

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Continue using Fucidin until you have completed the prescribed treatment. This will prevent a recurrence of the infection, which may be resistant to Fucidin.

Fucidin ingredients

The active ingredient in Fucidin cream is:

• Fusidic acid (2%)

Fusidic acid is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It isn't suitable for some people, so make sure fusidic acid is safe for you by telling your GP or pharmacist if you have had an allergic reaction to fusidic acid or any other medicines in the past.

Fucidin cream also contains the following inactive ingredients to make up the complete product:

• Butylhydroxyanisole (E320)
• Cetyl alcohol
• Glycerol
• Liquid paraffin
• Polysorbate 60
• Potassium sorbate
• Purified water,
• All-rac -α -tocopherol
• Hydrochloric acid
• White soft paraffin

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine before use.

Fucidin cream side effects

Like all medicines, Fucidin cream may cause side effects.

Not everyone will experience side effects when they use Fucidin — it is an extremely safe and effective medication, and side effects are unusual. Most people will have a very positive experience with no noticeable side effects during their course of treatment

However, it’s a good idea to be informed about the possible side effects of any medication you decide to use, including Fucidin cream.

The more common Fucidin cream side effects are:

• Irritation at site of application, including pain, burning, irritation, stinging and skin redness
• Itching
• Rash
• Eczema

These side effects are categorised as uncommon, only affecting up to one in 100 people.

If you are concerned about these Fucidin cream side effects at all, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Fucidin warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

This medicine is unsuitable for you if you are allergic to any of the cream’s ingredients.

Consult your doctor if you are using Fucidin over large areas of skin, or on any skin near the eyes. This may make you more susceptible to side effects.

Take care when using Fucidin, as some of its ingredients may cause skin irritation.

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

You should seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the below symptoms after taking Fucidin cream:

• You develop a severe skin rash
• Swelling of face or throat
• Difficulty breathing