In Canada—

• Antibacterial

Fusidic acid (Fu-SID-ick ass-id) is a substance that is used to treat bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Fusidic acid is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Oral solution (Canada)
• Tablets (Canada)

Parenteral
• Injection (Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking fusidic acid must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For fusidic acid, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fusidic acid. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy— Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding— It is not known whether fusidic acid passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking fusidic acid, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Lincomycin (eg, Lincocin) or
• Rifampin (eg, Rifadin)—may interfere with your liver

• Amino acid solution (Aminosyn) or
• Whole blood products—may be at risk for damage to the red blood cells

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

• Liver disease—May be worsened by fusidic acid

Dosing—

The dose of fusidic acid may be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of fusidic acid. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking fusidic acid

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • Osteomyelitis (bone and joint infections) or skin and soft tissue infections:
    • Adults—500 mg (2 tablets) three times daily
• For oral dosage form (suspension):
  • Osteomyelitis (bone and joint infections) or skin and soft tissue infections:
    • Adults—15 milliliters three times daily
    • Children—Up to 1 year of age: 1 milliliter (mL) per kilogram DAILY divided into 3 equal doses; 1 to 5 years of age is 5 mL three times daily; 6 to 12 years of age is 10 mL three times daily.
• For injection dosage form:
  • Osteomyelitis (bone and joint infections) or skin and soft tissue infections:
    • Adults—500 milligrams three times daily
    • Children—Up to 1 year of age to 12 years: 20 milligrams/kilogram DAILY divided into 3 equal doses, infused over at least 2 hours.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within 2 hours for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Keep the oral liquid form of this medicine out of direct sunlight.
• Keep the oral liquid form of this medicine from freezing.
• Keep the injection for of this medicine at room temperature.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines, such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness;  yellow eyes or skin 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• Less common
  • Loss of appetite;  nausea;  abdominal or stomach pain;  increase in bowel movements;  loose stools 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.