What is Fuci-Ophthalmic?
It is a viscous eye gel containing fusidic acid
Each 1g contains 10mg Fusidic acid (1% fusidic acid)
It comes in a 5g viscous eye gel tube
What is its mechanism of action?
Fusidic acid is an antibiotic which inhibits protein synthesis by blocking aminoacyl-tRNA transfer to protein in susceptible bacteria.
What is it used for?
Treatment of superficial infections of the eye and conjunctiva caused by susceptible organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae) in adults and pediatric patients ≥2 years of age.
Does Fuci-Ophthalmic cause blurred vision?
Fuci-Ophthalmic gel from the container is white to off-white; Fuci-Ophthalmic gel becomes a clear liquid in the tear fluid of your eye. This clear liquid helps prevent blurring of the vision
Is Fuci-Ophthalmic better than broad spectrum antibiotic drops?
A study compared 1% fusidic acid viscous drops vs. 0.3% tobramycin drops. Fusidic acid viscous drops were instilled one drop twice daily while tobramycin drops were instilled one to two drops applied four to six times daily. It was found that the clinical and bacteriologic efficacy of fusidic acid viscous drops combined with the convenience of a twice-daily dosage regimen establishes this antibiotic as first-line treatment for suspected acute bacterial conjunctivitis and a favourable alternative to other broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Two studies compared fucidic acid to chloramphenicol eye drops and they found that treating neonatal conjunctivitis with fucidic acid is easier than with chloramphenicol and is equally effective. Similarly, when fusidic acid viscous eye drop was compared to chloramphenicol eye drops for acute conjunctivitis it was found that there was no major differences between the two groups in the bacteriological findings, and there was no significant difference in response to treatment. The use of fusidic acid in a carbomer vehicle has proved to give a long-lasting antibiotic concentration in the tear fluid, which allows the preferable twice daily application.
How long should Fuci-Ophthalmic eye drops be used for?
Keep using Fuci-Ophthalmic for at least 48 hours after the eye appears to have returned to normal
References:
1. Lexicomp. Fusidic Acid (Ophthalmic) (Lexi-Drugs Multinational). 2023; Available from: https://online-lexi-com.ezproxy.lau.edu.lb:2443/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/multinat_f/4668415?cesid=8oNQ9CIpVll&searchUrl=%2Flco%2Faction%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dfusidic%2Bacid%26t%3Dname%26acs%3Dtrue%26acq%3Dfusidic%2Bacid#.
2. New Zealand Consumer Medicine Information. Fucithalmic. 2020; Available from: https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/f/fucithalmic.pdf.
3. Jackson, W.B., et al., Treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis: 1% fusidic acid viscous drops vs. 0.3% tobramycin drops. Can J Ophthalmol, 2002. 37(4): p. 228-37; discussion 237.
4. Normann, E.K., et al., Treatment of acute neonatal bacterial conjunctivitis: a comparison of fucidic acid to chloramphenicol eye drops. Acta Ophthalmol Scand, 2002. 80(2): p. 183-7.
5. BET 3: Fucidic acid or chloramphenicol for neonates with sticky eyes. Emergency Medicine Journal, 2011. 28(7): p. 634.
6. Hørven, I., Acute conjunctivitis. A comparison of fusidic acid viscous eye drops and chloramphenicol. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh), 1993. 71(2): p. 165-8.