Fusidic acid explained

Verifiedfields:changed
Verifiedrevid:476993164
Tradename:Fucidin, Foban, others
Routes Of Administration:Topical
Atc Prefix:D06
Atc Suffix:AX01
Atc Supplemental: (dressing)
Legal Nz:Prescription only
Legal Uk:POM
Legal Uk Comment:[1]
Legal Us:OTC
Legal Us Comment:/Not approved[2]
Legal Status:Rx-only
Bioavailability:91% oral bioavailability
Protein Bound:97 to 99%
Elimination Half-Life:Approximately 5 to 6 hours in adults
Cas Number:6990-06-3
Pubchem:3000226
Drugbank:DB02703
Chemspiderid:2271900
Unii:59XE10C19C
Unii2:J7P3696BCQ
Kegg:D04281
Kegg2:D00213
Chebi:29013
Chembl:374975
Pdb Ligand:FUA
Synonyms:Sodium fusidate
Iupac Name:2-[(1''S'',2''S'',5''R'',6''S'',7''S'',10''S'',11''S'',13''S'',14''Z'',15''R'',17''R'')-13-(acetyloxy)-5,17-dihydroxy-2,6,10,11-tetramethyltetracyclo[8.7.0.0<sup>2,7</sup>.0<sup>11,15</sup>]heptadecan-14-ylidene]-6-methylhept-5-enoic acid
C:31
H:48
O:6
Smiles:O=C(O)/C(=C3/[C@@H]2C[C@@H](O)[C@H]1[C@@]4(C)CC[C@@H](O)[C@@H](C)[C@@H]4CC[C@@]1([C@]2(C[C@@H]3OC(=O)C)C)C)CC\C=C(/C)C
Stdinchi:1S/C31H48O6/c1-17(2)9-8-10-20(28(35)36)26-22-15-24(34)27-29(5)13-12-23(33)18(3)21(29)11-14-30(27,6)31(22,7)16-25(26)37-19(4)32/h9,18,21-25,27,33-34H,8,10-16H2,1-7H3,(H,35,36)/b26-20-/t18-,21-,22-,23+,24+,25-,27-,29-,30-,31-/m0/s1
Stdinchikey:IECPWNUMDGFDKC-MZJAQBGESA-N

Fusidic acid, sold under the brand name Fucidin among others, is a steroid antibiotic that is often used topically in creams or ointments and eyedrops but may also be given systemically as tablets or injections., the global problem of advancing antimicrobial resistance has led to a renewed interest in its use.[3]

Medical uses

Fusidic acid is active in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus,[4] most coagulase-positive staphylococci, Beta-hemolytic streptococci, Corynebacterium species, and most clostridium species. Fusidic acid has no known useful activity against enterococci or most Gram-negative bacteria (except Neisseria, Moraxella, Legionella pneumophila, and Bacteroides fragilis). Fusidic acid is active in vitro and clinically against Mycobacterium leprae but has only marginal activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

One use of fusidic acid is its activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although many strains of MRSA remain sensitive to fusidic acid, there is a low genetic barrier to drug resistance (a single point mutation is all that is required), fusidic acid should never be used on its own to treat serious MRSA infection and should be combined with another antimicrobial such as rifampicin when administering oral or topical dosing regimens approved in Europe, Canada, and elsewhere. However, resistance selection is low when pathogens are challenged at high drug exposure.[5]

Topical fusidic acid is occasionally used as a treatment for acne vulgaris.[6] As a treatment for acne, fusidic acid is often partially effective at improving acne symptoms.[7] However, research studies have indicated that fusidic acid is not as highly active against Cutibacterium acnes as many other antibiotics that are commonly used as acne treatments.[8] Fusidic acid is also found in several additional topical skin and eye preparations (e.g. Fucibet), although its use for these purposes is controversial.[9]

Side effects

Fucidin tablets and suspension, whose active ingredient is sodium fusidate, occasionally cause liver damage, which can produce jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes). This condition will almost always get better after the patient finishes taking Fucidin tablets or suspension. Other related side-effects include dark urine and lighter-than-usual feces. These, too, should normalize when the course of treatment is completed.[10]

Pharmacology

Fusidic acid acts as a bacterial protein synthesis inhibitor by preventing the turnover of elongation factor G (EF-G) from the ribosome. Fusidic acid is effective primarily on Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus[11] and Corynebacterium species.

Fusidic acid is a tetracyclic, naturally occurring steroid derived from the fungus Fusidium coccineum. It was first isolated in 1960 and developed by Leo Pharma in Ballerup, Denmark, being used clinically from 1962 onwards.[12] [13] It has also been isolated from Mucor ramannianus, an Acremonium species, and Isaria kogana.[14] [15] The drug is licensed for use as its sodium salt sodium fusidate, and it is approved for use under prescription in Australia, Canada, Colombia, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.[1]

Mechanism of action

Fusidic acid binds to EF-G after translocation and GTP (guanosine-5'-triphosphate) hydrolysis.[16] This interaction prevents the necessary conformational changes for EF-G release from the ribosome, effectively blocking the protein synthesis process. Fusidic acid can only bind to EF-G in the ribosome after GTP hydrolysis.[17] [18]

Since translocation is a part of elongation and ribosome recycling, fusidic acid can block either or both steps of protein synthesis.[19]

Dose

Fusidic acid should not be used on its own to treat S. aureus infections when used at low drug dosages. However, it may be possible to use fusidic acid as monotherapy when used at higher doses.The use of topical preparations (skin creams and eye ointments) containing fusidic acid is strongly associated with the development of resistance,[20] and there are voices advocating against the continued use of fusidic acid monotherapy in the community.[9] Topical preparations used in Europe often contain fusidic acid and gentamicin in combination, which helps to prevent the development of resistance.

Cautions

There is inadequate evidence of safety in human pregnancy. Animal studies and many years of clinical experience suggest that fusidic acid is devoid of teratogenic effects (birth defects), but fusidic acid can cross the placental barrier.[21]

Resistance

In vitro susceptibility studies of US strains of several bacterial species such as S. aureus, including MRSA and coagulase negative Staphylococcus, indicate potent activity against these pathogens.[22] [23] [24]

Mechanisms of resistance have been extensively studied only in Staphylococcus aureus. The most studied mechanism is the development of point mutations in fusA, the chromosomal gene that codes for EF-G. The mutation alters EF-G so that fusidic acid is no longer able to bind to it.[25] [26] Resistance is readily acquired when fusidic acid is used alone and commonly develops during the course of treatment. As with most other antibiotics, resistance to fusidic acid arises less frequently when used in combination with other drugs. For this reason, fusidic acid should not be used on its own to treat serious Staph. aureus infections. However, at least in Canadian hospitals, data collected between 1999 and 2005 showed rather low rate of resistance of both methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant to fusidic acid, and mupirocin was found to be the more problematic topical antibiotic for the aforementioned conditions.[27]

Some bacteria also display 'FusB-type' resistance, which has been found to be the most prevalent in Staphylococcus spp. in many clinical isolates.[28] [29] [30] This resistance mechanism is mediated by fusB, fusC, and fusD genes found primarily on plasmids,[31] but have also been found in chromosomal DNA.[32] The product of fusB-type resistance genes is a 213-residue cytoplasmic protein which interacts in a 1:1 ratio with EF-G. FusB-type proteins bind in a region distinct from fusidic acid to induce a conformational change which results in liberation of EF-G from the ribosome, allowing the elongation factor to participate in another round of ribosome translocation.[33]

Interactions

Fusidic acid should not be used with quinolone antibiotics, with which it is antagonistic. Although clinical practice over the past decade has supported the combination of fusidic acid and rifampicin, a recent clinical trial showed that there is an antagonistic interaction when both antibiotics are combined.[34]

On 8 August 2008, it was reported that the Irish Medicines Board was investigating the death of a 59-year-old Irish man who developed rhabdomyolysis after combining atorvastatin and fusidic acid, and three similar cases.[35] In August 2011, the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued a Drug Safety Update warning that "systemic fusidic acid (Fucidin) should not be given with statins because of a risk of serious and potentially fatal rhabdomyolysis."[36]

Society and culture

Brand names and preparations

Research

An orally-administered mono-therapy with a high loading dose is under development in the United States.

A different oral dosing regimen, based on the compound's pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) profile is in clinical development in the US.[38] as Taksta.[39]

Fusidic acid is being tested for indications beyond skin infections. There is evidence from compassionate use cases that fusidic acid may be effective in the treatment of patients with prosthetic joint-related chronic osteomyelitis.[40]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: . 30 November 2021 . About fusidic acid . . London . 7 May 2024.
  2. Web site: Fucidin- sodium fusidate ointment . DailyMed . 6 November 2019 . 5 May 2024.
  3. Falagas ME, Grammatikos AP, Michalopoulos A . Potential of old-generation antibiotics to address current need for new antibiotics . Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy . 6 . 5 . 593–600 . October 2008 . 18847400 . 10.1586/14787210.6.5.593 . 13158593 .
  4. Collignon P, Turnidge J . Fusidic acid in vitro activity . International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents . 12 . Supplement 2 . S45–S58 . August 1999 . 10528786 . 10.1016/s0924-8579(98)00073-9 .
  5. O'Neill AJ, Chopra I . Preclinical evaluation of novel antibacterial agents by microbiological and molecular techniques . Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs . 13 . 8 . 1045–1063 . August 2004 . 15268641 . 10.1517/13543784.13.8.1045 . 24016698 .
  6. Spelman D . Fusidic acid in skin and soft tissue infections . International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents . 12 . Suppl 2 . S59–S66 . August 1999 . 10528787 . 10.1016/s0924-8579(98)00074-0 .
  7. Web site: Fusidic Acid and Acne Vulgaris . ScienceOfAcne.com . 11 September 2011 . 14 August 2012.
  8. Sommer S, Bojar R, Cunliffe WJ, Holland D, Holland KT, Naags H . Investigation of the mechanism of action of 2% fusidic acid lotion in the treatment of acne vulgaris . Clinical and Experimental Dermatology . 22 . 5 . 211–215 . September 1997 . 9536540 . 10.1046/j.1365-2230.1997.2530670.x . 6 May 2024 .
  9. Howden BP, Grayson ML . Dumb and dumber--the potential waste of a useful antistaphylococcal agent: emerging fusidic acid resistance in Staphylococcus aureus . Clinical Infectious Diseases . 42 . 3 . 394–400 . February 2006 . 16392088 . 10.1086/499365 . free . doi .
  10. Web site: Fucidin patient information leaflet . Government of Victoria, Australia . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720113831/http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcmed.nsf/pages/cscfucts/$File/cscfucts.pdf . 20 July 2011 .
  11. Leclercq R, Bismuth R, Casin I, Cavallo JD, Croizé J, Felten A, Goldstein F, Monteil H, Quentin-Noury C, Reverdy M, Vergnaud M, Roiron R . In vitro activity of fusidic acid against streptococci isolated from skin and soft tissue infections . The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy . 45 . 1 . 27–29 . January 2000 . 10629009 . 10.1093/jac/45.1.27 . free . doi .
  12. Godtfredsen WO, Jahnsen S, Lorck H, Roholt K, Tybring L . Fusidic acid: a new antibiotic . Nature . 193 . 4819 . 987 . March 1962 . 13899435 . 10.1038/193987a0 . free . 1962Natur.193..987G .
  13. Huang X, Shen QK, Guo HY, Quan ZS, Li X . 2023 . Research, development and pharmacological activity of fusidic acid and its derivatives . . 1291 . 10.1016/j.molstruc.2023.135942 . 2023JMoSt129135942H .
  14. Hikino H, Asada Y, Arihara S, Takemoto T . 1972 . Fusidic Acid, a Steroidal Antibiotic from Isaria kogane . . 20 . 5 . 1067–1069 . 10.1248/cpb.20.1067 . free.
  15. Book: Wainwright M . 1992 . An Introduction to Fungal Biotechnology . Chichester . John Wiley & Sons . 0471934585 . 54–55.
  16. Bodley JW, Zieve FJ, Lin L, Zieve ST . Formation of the ribosome-G factor-GDP complex in the presence of fusidic acid . Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications . 37 . 3 . 437–443 . October 1969 . 4900137 . 10.1016/0006-291X(69)90934-6 .
  17. Gao YG, Selmer M, Dunham CM, Weixlbaumer A, Kelley AC, Ramakrishnan V . The structure of the ribosome with elongation factor G trapped in the posttranslocational state . Science . 326 . 5953 . 694–699 . October 2009 . 19833919 . 3763468 . 10.1126/science.1179709 . 2009Sci...326..694G .
  18. Seo HS, Abedin S, Kamp D, Wilson DN, Nierhaus KH, Cooperman BS . EF-G-dependent GTPase on the ribosome. conformational change and fusidic acid inhibition . Biochemistry . 45 . 8 . 2504–2514 . February 2006 . 16489743 . 10.1021/bi0516677 .
  19. Savelsbergh A, Rodnina MV, Wintermeyer W . Distinct functions of elongation factor G in ribosome recycling and translocation . RNA . 15 . 5 . 772–780 . May 2009 . 19324963 . 2673078 . 10.1261/rna.1592509 .
  20. Mason BW, Howard AJ, Magee JT . Fusidic acid resistance in community isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and fusidic acid prescribing . The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy . 51 . 4 . 1033–1036 . April 2003 . 12654748 . 10.1093/jac/dkg190 . free . doi .
  21. Web site: Fucidin UK data sheet . Electronic Medicines Compendium . June 1997 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080611072314/http://emc.medicines.org.uk/emc/assets/c/html/displaydoc.asp?documentid=2448#PRODUCTINFO . 11 June 2008 .
  22. Castanheira M, Watters AA, Bell JM, Turnidge JD, Jones RN . Fusidic acid resistance rates and prevalence of resistance mechanisms among Staphylococcus spp. isolated in North America and Australia, 2007-2008 . Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy . 54 . 9 . 3614–3617 . September 2010 . 20566766 . 2934946 . 10.1128/aac.01390-09 .
  23. Pfaller MA, Castanheira M, Sader HS, Jones RN . Evaluation of the activity of fusidic acid tested against contemporary Gram-positive clinical isolates from the USA and Canada . International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents . 35 . 3 . 282–287 . March 2010 . 20036520 . 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2009.10.023 .
  24. Castanheira M, Mendes RE, Rhomberg PR and Jones RN (2010). Activity of fusidic acid tested against contemporary Staphylococcus aureus collected from United States hospitals. Infectious Diseases Society of America, 48th Annual Meeting, Abstract 226.
  25. Turnidge J, Collignon P . Resistance to fusidic acid . International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents . 12 . Suppl 2 . S35–S44 . August 1999 . 10528785 . 10.1016/S0924-8579(98)00072-7 .
  26. Besier S, Ludwig A, Brade V, Wichelhaus TA . Molecular analysis of fusidic acid resistance in Staphylococcus aureus . Molecular Microbiology . 47 . 2 . 463–469 . January 2003 . 12519196 . 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03307.x . 31240369 .
  27. Rennie RP . Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to fusidic acid: Canadian data . Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery . 10 . 6 . 277–280 . 2006 . 17241597 . 10.2310/7750.2006.00064 . 22919577 .
  28. Castanheira M, Watters AA, Mendes RE, Farrell DJ, Jones RN . Occurrence and molecular characterization of fusidic acid resistance mechanisms among Staphylococcus spp. from European countries (2008) . The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy . 65 . 7 . 1353–1358 . July 2010 . 20430787 . 10.1093/jac/dkq094 . free . doi .
  29. McLaws FB, Larsen AR, Skov RL, Chopra I, O'Neill AJ . Distribution of fusidic acid resistance determinants in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy . 55 . 3 . 1173–1176 . March 2011 . 21149625 . 10.1128/AAC.00817-10 . 3067117 .
  30. Castanheira M, Watters AA, Bell JM, Turnidge JD, Jones RN . Fusidic acid resistance rates and prevalence of resistance mechanisms among Staphylococcus spp. isolated in North America and Australia, 2007-2008 . Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy . 54 . 9 . 3614–3617 . September 2010 . 20566766 . 2934946 . 10.1128/AAC.01390-09 .
  31. O'Neill AJ, McLaws F, Kahlmeter G, Henriksen AS, Chopra I . Genetic basis of resistance to fusidic acid in staphylococci . Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy . 51 . 5 . 1737–1740 . May 2007 . 17325218 . 1855526 . 10.1128/AAC.01542-06 . free . doi .
  32. O'Neill AJ, Larsen AR, Henriksen AS, Chopra I . A fusidic acid-resistant epidemic strain of Staphylococcus aureus carries the fusB determinant, whereas fusA mutations are prevalent in other resistant isolates . Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy . 48 . 9 . 3594–3597 . September 2004 . 15328136 . 514786 . 10.1128/AAC.48.9.3594-3597.2004 .
  33. Cox G, Thompson GS, Jenkins HT, Peske F, Savelsbergh A, Rodnina MV, Wintermeyer W, Homans SW, Edwards TA, O'Neill AJ . Ribosome clearance by FusB-type proteins mediates resistance to the antibiotic fusidic acid . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America . 109 . 6 . 2102–2107 . February 2012 . 22308410 . 3277530 . 10.1073/pnas.1117275109 . free . doi . 2012PNAS..109.2102C .
  34. Pushkin R, Iglesias-Ussel MD, Keedy K, MacLauchlin C, Mould DR, Berkowitz R, Kreuzer S, Darouiche R, Oldach D, Fernandes P . A Randomized Study Evaluating Oral Fusidic Acid (CEM-102) in Combination With Oral Rifampin Compared With Standard-of-Care Antibiotics for Treatment of Prosthetic Joint Infections: A Newly Identified Drug-Drug Interaction . Clinical Infectious Diseases . 63 . 12 . 1599–1604 . December 2016 . 27682068 . 10.1093/cid/ciw665 . free . doi .
  35. News: Man died after rare medical reaction to cholesterol drug . Irish Independent . Riegel R . 8 August 2008.
  36. Web site: Systemic fusidic acid and interaction with statins . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230510121813/https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/systemic-fusidic-acid-and-interaction-with-statins#risk-of-rhabdomyolysis . 10 May 2023 . 10 May 2023 . gov.uk .
  37. Web site: 奥络说明书, 奥络疗效,作用机制,副作用 . 广州皮肤病专科药房 . Olo Instructions, Olo Efficacy, Mechanism of Action, Side Effects . Guangzhou Dermatology Pharmacy . 28 September 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110707050305/http://www.pfb.org.cn/catalog/antimicrobial/20100204085231859.htm . 7 July 2011 .
  38. Moriarty SR, Clark K, Scott D, Degenhardt TP, Fernandes P, Craft JC, Corey GR, Still JG and Das A (2010). 50th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Abstract L1-1762
  39. FDA Grants Qualified Infectious Disease Product Designation to Taksta Cempra's Fusidic Acid Antibiotic . Melinta Therapeutics . GlobeNewswire . 18 September 2015 . 5 May 2024.
  40. Wolfe CR . Case report: treatment of chronic osteomyelitis . Clinical Infectious Diseases . 52 . Suppl 7 . S538–41 . June 2011 . 21546631 . 10.1093/cid/cir169 .