Fucibet

• Fucibet is the brand name for fusidic acid combined with betamethasone
• It contains an antibiotic and a steroid
• Fucibet is commonly prescribed to treat areas of eczema that have become infected
• Treatment should not usually exceed two weeks
• It is important to read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects and cautions.

In eczema, the skin becomes inflamed. The blood vessels dilate and inflammatory cells flood into the area. This leads to itching, redness, swelling and pain. With the skin’s barrier compromised, bacteria can infiltrate areas of eczema to cause an infection. 

Fucibet is the brand name for a cream that contains the two active ingredients fusidic acid (an antibiotic) and betamethasone (a steroid). Topical steroids such as betamethasone help to reduce the symptoms of eczema by dampening down the body’s immune response. The inflammation begins to resolve, and the skin feels less irritated and sore. Fusidic acid eradicates common types of skin infection by stopping the growth of the bacteria. The two active ingredients combined treat and sooth infected exacerbations of eczema.

A small amount of Fucibet should be applied to the affected area. Fucibet is usually applied twice daily, and treatment should not exceed two weeks.

Like other steroid creams, the amount of Fucibet cream you should apply can be measured in ‘fingertip units’. A fingertip unit is the amount of cream you can squeeze onto the end (tip) of one finger. One fingertip unit of cream is enough to cover an area that’s twice the size of your palm, so for a small area of infected eczema you need to apply very little cream. 

Wash your hands first, and then apply the cream in a thin layer. Gently smooth it onto your skin, making sure you cover all of the affected area. Wash your hands afterwards so that your fingers are not exposed to the steroid unnecessarily. 

Like all medications, Fucibet can have some side effects. The most common side effects include:

• Skin irritation
• Worsening of eczema
• Itching
• Dry skin.

These side effects are likely to settle down, but if they persist or become troublesome you should speak to your doctor for further advice.

Serious allergic reactions happen very rarely. If you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) including breathlessness, lip swelling or tongue swelling, call 999 immediately.

Fucibet may not be suitable for everyone. You should tell your prescriber if you:

• Have a fungal or viral skin infection
• Have skin disease relating to tuberculosis or syphilis
• Have a skin infection close to your mouth or lips
• Have rosacea
• Are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.

You should stop using Fucibet if:

• You get lighter or darker skin patches
• You start to feel very unwell with vomiting (being sick), dizziness, weakness, tiredness, mood changes, loss of appetite or diarrhoea – this could be a sign of adrenal gland problems
• You feel confused, sleepy, thirsty, hungrier than usual, pass urine frequently or notice that your breath smells sweet or fruity – this could be a sign of high blood sugar
• Your skin condition worsens, or the infection fails to clear up
• You notice any changes in your eyesight.

Some medications can interact with Fucibet. You may be advised that Fucibet will not suit you if you already take another steroid cream or topical preparation.

Because Fucibet may not suit everyone, we will complete a Consultation with you including a health questionnaire. This will ensure that the medication will be suitable for you.

A qualified prescriber will review your current medications, including any herbal remedies or supplements, to ensure that Fucibet will not interact with them. 

Once prescribed, Fucibet will be ordered on your behalf via electronic prescription. Fucibet will then be conveniently dispatched from one of our partner pharmacies.