Fusidic Acid

Fusidic Acid Eye Drops are an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacterial eye infections (bacterial conjunctivitis). It’s used twice a day to prevent the bacteria from growing and multiplying, killing the germs and treating the infection.

Fusidic Acid Eye Drops can be used for different bacterial eye infections – most commonly conjunctivitis – which is also known as pink eye, as it makes your eye red and itchy. It’s also used to treat keratitis (a cornea infection) and blepharitis, which is when your eyelids become inflamed.

Fusidic Acid (or sodium fusidate) is a type of antibiotic, which means it works by stopping bacteria from growing. It blocks the bacteria from bonding with the proteins that it needs to grow and live.

Fusidic Acid is absorbed into the eye and skin in the infected tissues, where it can target the bacteria directly. Your immune system will then clear the infection and reduce the symptoms.^[1]

What dosages are available for Fusidic Acid Eye Drops?

Fusidic acid is available in different dosages and forms, including skin ointments and oral tablets. For eye drops, fusidic acid is only available in a 1% dilution, which breaks down to about 10 milligrams of fusidic acid per gram. It also contains 0.55mg of benzalkonium chloride (an antiseptic disinfectant) which is about 0.11% w/w. Fusidic Acid Eye Drops come in a 5g tube.

Follow the instructions given by your prescriber, as they’ll let you know how long you should take them for.

There are some important things to remember before you use them, which are:

• Don’t use Fusidic Acid Eye Drops longer than you should, as the antibiotic may no longer be effective at killing the bacteria.
• Refrain from using contact lenses.
• If your vision becomes blurry after using the drops, don’t drive or use heavy machinery until your vision is clear.
• Always wash your hands before and after use.

To use Fusidic Acid Eye Drops:

• make sure the tip of the tube doesn’t touch your eye
• tilt your head back and pull your lower eyelid down
• hold the tube over your eye and look up
• squeeze one drop into your eye. (It will be thick at first, but thin out once in your eye.)
• there may be a white powder film around your eye. This is nothing to worry about and you can wipe it off
• your prescriber will have told you how many drops to take, so just repeat these steps if you need another dose
• use the drops twice a day

You should use Fusidic Acid Eye drops for at least 48 hours after your infection has cleared, otherwise it may return. ^[1]

How effective is Fusidic Acid at treating eye infections?

Although some eye infections can be cleared without medication, most antibiotic eye treatments will help to speed up the process and prevent the infection from returning. Fusidic Acid is an anti-infective antibiotic medicine, so it will inhibit the bacteria from growing and multiplying effectively.

Studies have shown that Fusidic Acid is an effective option for acute bacterial conjunctivitis. One study found that the bacterial eradication rate (the amount of bacteria it killed) was 76%, versus just 41% in the placebo group.^[2]

What if I make a mistake using Fusidic Acid Eye Drops?

If you forget to use Fusidic Acid Eye Drops, use them as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the normal time. Don’t take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.