Using cream or ointment
The main difference between fusidic acid cream and ointment is how it feels – the ointment is greasier. Your doctor will probably prescribe cream if you have a lot of infected skin to cover, and ointment for smaller infected areas.
Dosage for fusidic acid cream or ointment
You'll usually put on fusidic acid cream or ointment 3 or 4 times a day. Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're unsure.
How to use fusidic acid cream or ointment
- Remove the cap. Check the seal is not broken before you first use the cream or ointment. There is a small spike in the top of the cap – push this spike through the seal on the tube.
- Always wash your hands before using fusidic acid cream or ointment. Unless you're using the cream or ointment to treat your hands, always wash your hands afterwards, too.
- Put a thin layer of cream or ointment onto the infected area and gently rub it in.
- Be careful to avoid your eyes if you use it on your face.
If you accidentally get any medicine in your eye, wash it out with cold water straight away, then bathe your eye with eyewash if possible. Your eye may sting.
If you start to have any problems with your sight or your eye is sore, contact your doctor immediately.
If you have been told to cover the infected skin with any dressings or bandages, you may not need to use the medicine so often. Follow your doctor's advice.
Important: Fire warning
Fusidic acid cream or ointment applied to the skin can dry onto your clothes and bedding. This makes them more likely to catch fire. Wash your clothes and bedding regularly to reduce build-up of fusidic acid, although this will not totally remove it. Avoid smoking or going near naked flames.
How long to use fusidic acid cream or ointment for
Your skin should start to improve after a few days. But it's very important to use the cream or ointment for as long as your doctor has prescribed it.
Treatment with fusidic cream or ointment is usually for 1 or 2 weeks, although sometimes it can be for longer.
Important: Finishing your course of fusidic acid cream or ointment
Carry on using this medicine until you have finished the course, even if you feel better.
If you stop your treatment early, the infection could come back.
If you forget to use fusidic acid cream or ointment
If you forget to use fusidic acid cream or ointment, put it on as soon as you remember. Then continue to use it at the usual time.
If you use too much fusidic acid cream or ointment
If you put on too much cream or ointment, or if you get some in your mouth, it's unlikely to harm you.
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried, or if you or your child swallow a lot of the medicine.
Eye drops
Fusidic acid eye drops come as a gel in a tube. As the gel touches your eye it becomes runnier.
Dosage for fusidic acid eye drops
You'll usually put 1 drop into your eye twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
How to use fusidic acid eye drops
- Take the cap off the tube when you're ready to use the medicine. It's important that the tip of the tube does not touch your eye. If the tip of the tube touches your eye, squeeze out 2 or 3 drops straight away onto some tissue and rinse the tip of the tube with salt water.
- Tilt your head back. Pull your lower eyelid down gently. Hold the tube over your eye and look up. Squeeze 1 drop into your lower eyelid.
- Close your eye for a minute or two and press gently on the side of your nose where the corner of your eye meets your nose. This helps to stop the drop draining away and keeps it in your eye.
You might get some blurred vision straight after putting the drop into your eye, but this should clear after a few minutes.
If the eye drops are for a child, it might be easier to put the drops in while they're asleep or lying down.
If you normally wear contact lenses, wear your glasses instead until your symptoms have completely gone. Wait for 24 hours after the last dose of eye drops before using your contact lenses again. The eye drops can damage some contact lenses.
How long to use eye drops for
Your eye should start to feel better within a few days.
But it's very important to use the medicine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. Even when your eye looks normal again, there may still be some bacteria in it.
As a general rule, use fusidic acid eye drops for at least 48 hours after you feel better and your eye looks normal. This will help make sure that all the bacteria have been killed.
Important: Finishing your course of fusidic acid eye drops
Carry on using this medicine until you have finished the course, even if your eye feels better.
If you stop your treatment early, the infection could come back.
If you forget to use fusidic acid eye drops
If you forget to put the drops in, do it as soon as you remember. Then continue to use the drops at the usual time.
If you use too many fusidic acid eye drops
If you accidentally put too many fusidic acid eye drops in your eye, or if you swallow the eye drops, it's unlikely to harm you.
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried.