Mild corticosteroid with antimicrobial
Moderately potent corticosteroid with antimicrobial
- Trimovate is expensive and less costly options should be considered where appropriate.
Potent corticosteroid with antimicrobial
Prescribing Notes
- See also section 13.4 cautions (topical corticosteroids)
- For people who are not systemically unwell, do not routinely offer either a topical or oral antibiotic for secondary bacterial infection of eczema. Refer to NICE NG190 visual summary
- Sensitisation is more likely to occur with corticosteroid/ antimicrobial combinations than with topical corticosteroids alone. They are indicated for short term use only (typically 5-7 days). Longer term use increases the risk of resistance and sensitisation
- The difference in potency between Fucidin H® (hydrocortisone 1%- mild corticosteroid) and Fucibet® (betamethasone-potent corticosteroid) should be noted
- Prescribers should be aware that there is increasing resistance to fusidic acid; prudent use is encouraged to preserve the systemic efficacy of this antibiotic for life-threatening infections. Treatment with Fucidin H® or Fucibet® should be for a maximum of 7 days to prevent bacterial resistance. These products are not suitable for “repeat prescriptions”.