title: A comparison of sodium fusidate ointment and mupirocin ointment in superficial skin sepsis.
abstract: Sodium fusidate ointment and mupirocin ointment were compared in 354 patients with superficial skin sepsis. The ointments were applied 3-times daily, or once daily when covered by a dressing, and the response assessed after 6 to 8 days. Both preparations proved effective clinically with 86% of patients responding. There was no difference between the two preparations in cases of primary infection (85% to both ointments), including a sub-group with impetigo (sodium fusidate 88% and mupirocin 84%), or secondary infection (sodium fusidate 81% and mupirocin 89%). Sodium fusidate ointment (98%) was significantly better (p less than 0.05) than mupirocin (82%) in patients with other superficial infections. Both ointments were equally effective in cases where Gram-positive, Gram-negative or mixed Gram-positive/Gram-negative bacteria were isolated. Adverse effects were reported in 1.0% of patients using sodium fusidate ointment and in 7.4% of patients using mupirocin ointment. The majority of complaints concerned the greasiness of mupirocin ointment.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Munot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005672:Fusidic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007169:Impetigo / Q000188:drug therapy; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016712:Mupirocin; D009824:Ointments; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005227:Fatty Acids; D009824:Ointments; D005672:Fusidic Acid; D016712:Mupirocin