Retapamulin Cream/Retapamulin is a topical antibiotic developed by GlaxoSmithKline. It was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in April 2007 for the treatment of bacterial skin infections such as impetigo. It is marketed as an ointment under the name brand Altabax.
Retapamulin, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as the ointment Altabax, is an antibiotic for skin infections like impetigo. It was approved by the FDA in April 2007. Retapamulin is a Pleuromutilin Antibacterial. The chemical classification of retapamulin is pleuromutilin.
Mechanism of Action of Retapamulin
Retapamulin is a bacterial protein synthesis inhibitor belonging to a class of compounds called pleuromutilins. These compounds inhibit the initiation of protein synthesis by binding to a specific site on the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosome (domain V of 23S rRNA). This binding site involves ribosomal protein L3 and is in the region of the ribosomal P site and peptidyl transferase center. By virtue of binding to this site, pleuromutilins inhibit peptidyl transfer, block P-site interactions, and prevent the normal formation of active 50S ribosomal subunits.
Indications of Retapamulin
- For use in adults and pediatric patients aged 9 months and older for the topical treatment of impetigo (up to 100 cm2 in total area in adults or 2% total body surface area in pediatric patients aged 9 months or older) due to Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible isolates only) or Streptococcus pyogenes.
- Short term treatment of the following superficial skin infections in adults, adolescents, infants, and children.
- Impetigo.
- Infected small lacerations, abrasions, or sutured wounds.
- regarding the clinical activity of retapamulin against different types of Staphylococcus aureus.
- Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial medicinal products.
- Short term treatment of the following superficial skin infections, small lacerations, abrasions or sutured wounds. Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.
- Staphylococcal impetigo
- Streptococcal impetigo
- Acne
Dosage of Retapamulin
Strengths: 1%
Impetigo
- Apply a thin layer to the affected area (up to 100 cm2 in total area) twice a day for 5 days
Pediatric Dose for Impetigo
- Apply a thin layer to the affected area (up to 2% total body surface area) twice a day for 5 days
Side Effects of Retapamulin
Most Common
- Burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at the site
- Burning, crusting, dryness, flaking of skin
- Skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
- Diarrhea (watery and severe; may also be bloody)
Common
- Redness of the skin
- itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, swelling of the skin
- pain at the site of application
- unusually warm skin
- Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
- canker sores
- cracked, dry, scaly skin
- pain, swelling, tenderness, warmth on the skin
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
Rare
- Abdominal or stomach tenderness
- cough
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- fast heartbeat
- fever
- hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redness of the skin
- severe abdominal or stomach cramps and pain
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody
Drug Interactions of Retapamulin Cream
Retapamulin may interact with following drugs, supplements & may change the efficacy of drugs
- amiodarone
- amprenavir
- aprepitant
- atazanavir
- bicalutamide
- bromocriptine
- ceritinib
- chloramphenicol
- cimetidine
- ciprofloxacin
- clarithromycin
- clotrimazole
- conivaptan
- cyclosporine
- danazol
- darunavir
- dasatinib
- delavirdine
- dihydroergotamine
- diltiazem
- erythromycin
- fedratinib
- fluconazole
- fluvoxamine
- fosamprenavir
- fosaprepitant
- fostamatinib
- imatinib
- indinavir
- isavuconazonium
- isoniazid
- itraconazole
- ketoconazole
- lapatinib
- miconazole
- nifedipine
- posaconazole
- ribociclib
- telithromycin
- troleandomycin
- verapamil
- voriconazole
- zafirlukast
Pregnancy Category Of Retapamulin Cream
Pregnancy
The safety of this medication for the treatment of infections during pregnancy is unknown. If you are or may be pregnant, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using retapamulin.
Lactation
If you are breast-feeding, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using this medication. If you are using this medication to treat a cracked nipple, your doctor may advise you to use a breast pump to pump the milk from the affected breast while you are using this medicine.
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