Retapamulin: a semisynthetic pleuromutilin compound for topical treatment of skin infections in adults and children. (December 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jacobs, Michael R
• Is Part Of: Future microbiology. Volume 2:Number 6(2007)
• Page Start: 591
• Page End: 600
• Publication Date: 2007-12
• Subjects: impetigo -- pleuromutilin -- protein synthesis inhibitor -- retapamulin -- staphylococcal skin infection -- Staphylococcus aureus -- streptococcal skin infection -- Streptococcus pyogenes; Microbiology -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.2217/17460913.2.6.591
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-0913

Abstract

Retapamulin is a semisynthetic pleuromutilin compound with in vitro activity against Gram-positive bacteria, no cross-resistance to other classes of antimicrobial agents in current use and a low potential for development of resistance. A 1% ointment formulation has been developed for clinical use, and a placebo-controlled trial of impetigo in 210 patients produced significantly higher rates of clinical and microbiological success compared with placebo –– 85.6 versus 52.1% and 91.2 versus 50.9%, respectively. Additional comparative studies in over 1900 patients showed noninferiority to topical fusidic acid and oral cephalexin and a low frequency of adverse events. In 2007, retapamulin was approved in the USA for topical treatment of impetigo caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, and in the EU for topical treatment of impetigo and infected wounds caused by S. pyogenes and S. aureus, with approvals including adults and children over 9 months of age.