There are advantages to treatment with a topical instead of an oral antibiotic. Simply because of their delivery mechanism, oral antibiotics are more likely to cause systemic toxicity and, over time, induce bacterial resistance. A topical antibacterial provides a high concentration of the antibacterial agent directly at the site of infection with a lower risk of systemic side effects, as well as a lower risk of bacterial resistance.1 In addition, research shows that patients prefer topical agents to oral medications.2
Advantages of topical therapy
- Low incidence of systemic side effects
- Decreased bacterial resistance
- High concentration of antibacterial agent at the site of infection
- Patient compliance better with shorter duration of treatment1
ALTABAX is a generally well tolerated therapeutic option for the treatment of impetigo in adults and pediatric patients as young as 9 months old. In a placebo-controlled trial, ALTABAX demonstrated superior efficacy in impetigo versus key pathogens.†
Additionally, ALTABAX provides simplified 5-day b.i.d. dosing compared to Bactroban Ointment® (mupirocin ointment), 2% approved for t.i.d. dosing for up to 12 days.
†Clinical success was defined as the absence of treated lesions, or treated lesions had become dry without crusts with or without erythema compared to baseline, or had improved (defined as a decline in the size of the affected area, number of lesions or both) such that no further antimicrobial therapy was required.
References:
- Lio PA, Kaye ET. Topical antibacterial agents. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2004;717-733.
- Parish LC, Jorizzo JL, Breton JJ, et al and the SB275833/032 Study Team. Topical retapamulin ointment (1% wt/wt) twice daily for 5 days versus oral cephalexin twice daily for 10 days in the treatment of secondarily infected dermatitis: results of a randomized controlled trial. J Acad Dermatol. 2006;55:1003-1013.
- Bactroban Ointment® (mupirocin ointment), 2% [package insert]. Research Triangle Park, NC: GlaxoSmithKline; 2001.
