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New search Medicine profile Fusidic acid / Hydrocortisone

Clinical medicine profile

Fusidic acid / Hydrocortisone

Corticosteroid

POM
Evidence state Source not available Reviewed 14 Aug 2026
Route
ORAL / IV / IM / INHALED / TOPICAL / NASAL / OPHTHALMIC
Schedule
POM
ATC
Not assigned
PPB status
registered
Patient advice Check interactions
Verification required

This profile needs source confirmation

A traceable source link is not attached to this profile. Confirm prescribing decisions against the current SmPC and Kenya STG/EML.

01 Risk first

Safety essentials

The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.

Contraindications

  • Systemic fungal infections (untreated) for systemic steroids.
  • Live vaccines with significant immunosuppression.
  • Hypersensitivity.
  • Topical: untreated skin infection at site (relative).

Precautions

  • [From component Hydrocortisone / Neomycin ear /eye drop] Warnings For external use only Do not use • in the genital area if you have a vaginal discharge.
  • Consult a doctor. • for the treatment of diaper rash.
  • Consult a doctor.
  • When using this product • avoid contact with the eyes • do not use more than directed unless told to do so by a doctor • do not put directly into the rectum by using fingers or any mechanical device or applicator Stop use and ask a doctor if • condition worsens symptoms persist for more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days, and do not begin use of any other hydrocortisone product unless you have asked a doctor • rectal bleeding occurs Keep out of reach of children.
  • If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away (1-800-222-1222).
02 Point of care

Dosing matrix

Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.

Adult

Dosing is indication-, age-, weight- and organ-function-specific for this INN. Do not use class averages for high-risk patients. Confirm the exact regimen in the current SmPC and Kenya Standard Treatment Guidelines. Typical professional workflow: (1) confirm indication, (2) check renal/hepatic function, (3) screen interactions/allergies, (4) select dose/route/duration, (5) define monitoring.

Paediatric

Paediatric dosing is weight- and age-based; use a paediatric formulary / SmPC. Do not extrapolate adult tablets without calculation.

Renal

Fluid retention/hypertension — care in renal disease.

  • CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic

Prednisone needs hepatic activation to prednisolone.

03 Clinical use

Use, effects & interactions

Indications

  • Eczematous dermatoses when a secondary bacterial infection is present or suspected.
  • Clinical selection for Fusidic acid / Hydrocortisone should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
  • Class context: Corticosteroid.
  • Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.

Adverse effects

  • Insomnia, increased appetite, mood lability, dyspepsia, hyperglycaemia.
  • Chronic: cushingoid features, myopathy, osteoporosis, HPA suppression.
  • Topical: skin atrophy, striae.
  • Inhaled: thrush, dysphonia.
  • Fixed-dose/multi-ingredient product.
  • Clinical details partially inherited from component monographs: Hydrocortisone / Neomycin ear /eye drop.
  • Confirm combination SmPC for exact dosing.
04 Pharmacology

Mechanism & disposition

Corticosteroids bind intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription to suppress inflammatory cytokines, inhibit phospholipase A2 via lipocortins, reduce leukocyte migration and stabilise membranes — potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.

Corticosteroids bind intracellular glucoco…Mineralocorticoid activity varies by agent…
Read complete mechanism

Corticosteroids bind intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription to suppress inflammatory cytokines, inhibit phospholipase A2 via lipocortins, reduce leukocyte migration and stabilise membranes — potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Mineralocorticoid activity varies by agent.

Onset

Hours–days

Duration

Agent and route dependent

Route

ORAL / IV / IM / INHALED / TOPICAL / NASAL / OPHTHALMIC

05 Special populations

Pregnancy, lactation & diet

Pregnancy

[Fusidic acid] Used when maternal benefit clear; prefer agents with better obstetric data (e.g. prednisolone). Document risk–benefit. [Hydrocortisone] Used when maternal benefit clear; prefer agents with better obstetric data (e.g. prednisolone). Document risk–benefit.

Lactation

[Fusidic acid] Low-dose systemic often compatible; time feeds if high dose — agent-specific. [Hydrocortisone] Low-dose systemic often compatible; time feeds if high dose — agent-specific.

06 Kenya market

Brands & loaded prices

From
Median
Listings0
BrandManufacturerPackObserved price
No reviewed brand listings are linked yet.
07 Provenance

Sources & review state

Primary sourceLocal active-ingredient clinical extract; Component monographs (multi-source pipeline); Professional class pharmacology (Corticosteroid)
Last reviewed14 Aug 2026
EvidenceSource not available

Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.