Publication:

A randomized open label parallel group study comparing the safety, effectiveness and adherence between 2% fusidic acid cream versus 1% retapamulin ointment in children with impetigo

Background Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection that affects both adults and children. Topical antibacterials such as mupirocin and fusidic acid are the most commonly used in both primary and secondary impetigo. Clinical trials have shown high efficacy of retapamulin in the treatment of secondary impetigo. However, its use in primary impetigo is limited. To this purpose, we compared the safety, efficacy and adherence to treatment of fusidic acid with retapamulin in primary impetigo.

Methods A total of 50 patients with a clinical diagnosis of primary impetigo, between 2-12 years of age, having 0.05). Both drugs were well tolerated.

Conclusions Both fusidic and retapamulin showed similar clinical success in patients with primary impetigo. Since fusidic acid has anti-inflammatory property and its treatment is cost-effective, it can be considered as first-line treatment and retapamulin in fusidic acid-resistant impetigo.