Topical retapamulin in the management of infected traumatic skin lesions.

Article Details

Citation

Copy to clipboard

Shawar R, Scangarella-Oman N, Dalessandro M, Breton J, Twynholm M, Li G, Garges H

Topical retapamulin in the management of infected traumatic skin lesions.

Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2009 Feb;5(1):41-9. Epub 2009 Mar 26.

PubMed ID

19436611 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

Retapamulin is a novel semisynthetic pleuromutilin antibiotic specifically designed for use as a topical agent. The unique mode of action by which retapamulin selectively inhibits bacterial protein synthesis differentiates it from other nonpleuromutilin antibacterial agents that target the ribosome or ribosomal factors, minimizing the potential for target-specific cross-resistance with other antibacterial classes in current use. In vitro studies show that retapamulin has high potency against the Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and coagulase-negative staphylococci) commonly found in skin and skin-structure infections (SSSIs), including S. aureus strains with resistance to agents such as macrolides, fusidic acid, or mupirocin, and other less common organisms associated with SSSIs, anaerobes, and common respiratory tract pathogens. Clinical studies have shown that twice-daily topical retapamulin for 5 days is comparable to 10 days of oral cephalexin in the treatment of secondarily infected traumatic lesions. A 1% concentration of retapamulin ointment has been approved for clinical use as an easily applied treatment with a short, convenient dosing regimen for impetigo. Given the novel mode of action, low potential for cross-resistance with established antibacterial agents, and high in vitro potency against many bacterial pathogens commonly recovered from SSSIs, retapamulin is a valuable enhancement over existing therapeutic options.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs

Retapamulin

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Retapamulin	50S ribosomal protein L3	Protein	Streptococcus pyogenes serotype M1	Yes	Inhibitor	Details