Altabax

Generic name: Retapamulin Topical
Brand names: Altabax
Drug class: Topical antibiotics

Usage of Altabax

Altabax is an antibiotic that fights bacteria on the skin.

Altabax Ointment is used to treat an infection called impetigo (im-pe-TYE-go). Impetigo usually affects the nose, lips, or other areas of the face, but it may also affect other areas of the body.

Altabax Ointment is for use in adults and infants aged 9 months and older.

Altabax side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Altabax: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Wipe the ointment off your skin and call your doctor at once if you have:

severe burning, itching, redness, swelling, blistering, oozing, or other skin irritation where the medicine was applied; or

new or worsening signs of skin infection.

Common Altabax side effects may include:

mild itching or skin irritation; or

headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Altabax

Altabax is not approved for use by anyone younger than 9 months old.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using Altabax. Ask your doctor about any risk.

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How to use Altabax

Usual Adult Dose for Impetigo:

Apply a thin layer to the affected area (up to 100 cm2 in total area) twice a day for 5 days Comments: -Consider alternative therapy if there is no improvement or worsening in the affected area after 2 to 3 days of treatment. Use: Topical treatment of impetigo due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes

Usual 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 Comments: -For pediatric patients aged 9 months or older. -Concomitant use with strong CYP450 3A4 inhibitors is not recommended in patients younger than 24 months of age due to the higher systemic exposure of the drug in this patient population. -Consider alternative therapy if there is no improvement or worsening in the affected area after 2 to 3 days of treatment. Use: Topical treatment of impetigo due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes

Warnings

Do not use Altabax to treat any skin condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

Do not share Altabax with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have. Impetigo is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person. Each member of the household should be seen by a doctor if they start to show symptoms of impetigo. Stop using Altabax and call your doctor at once if you have severe burning, itching, redness, swelling, blistering, oozing, or other skin irritation where the medicine was applied.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Altabax

Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other.

Children younger than 2 years old can absorb larger amounts of this medicine through the skin than adults. This could make it more likely that retapamulin topical could interact with other medications the child is using, especially antifungal or antiviral medicine, or other antibiotics.

Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Disclaimer

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