Retapamulin
Encyclopedia
Retapamulin is a topical antibiotic
developed by GlaxoSmithKline
. It is the first drug in the new class of pleuromutilin
antibiotics to be approved for human use. It is marketed as an ointment under the brand names Altabax and Altargo.
Retapamulin was approved by the United States
Food and Drug Administration
in April 2007 for the treatment of bacterial skin infections such as impetigo
. In May 2007, retapamulin received approval in the EU
from the European Medicines Agency
for the same indication.
Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy against certain Gram-positive
bacteria
including MRSA.
. The medication selectively inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by interacting at a site on the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome through an interaction that differs from other antibiotics.
(methicillin-susceptible only) or Streptococcus pyogenes
.
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
developed by GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
. It is the first drug in the new class of pleuromutilin
Pleuromutilin
Pleuromutilin and its derivatives are antibacterial drugs that inhibit protein synthesis in bacteria by binding to the peptidyl transferase component of the 50S subunit of ribosomes....
antibiotics to be approved for human use. It is marketed as an ointment under the brand names Altabax and Altargo.
Retapamulin was approved by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
in April 2007 for the treatment of bacterial skin infections such as impetigo
Impetigo
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection most common among pre-school children. People who play close contact sports such as rugby, American football and wrestling are also susceptible, regardless of age. Impetigo is not as common in adults. The name derives from the Latin impetere...
. In May 2007, retapamulin received approval in the EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
from the European Medicines Agency
European Medicines Agency
The European Medicines Agency is a European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products. From 1995 to 2004, the European Medicines Agency was known as European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products.Roughly parallel to the U.S...
for the same indication.
Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy against certain Gram-positive
Gram-positive
Gram-positive bacteria are those that are stained dark blue or violet by Gram staining. This is in contrast to Gram-negative bacteria, which cannot retain the crystal violet stain, instead taking up the counterstain and appearing red or pink...
bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
including MRSA.
Mechanism of action (pharmacodynamics)
Retapamulin is an antibacterial agent, specifically a protein synthesis inhibitorProtein synthesis inhibitor
A protein synthesis inhibitor is a substance that stops or slows the growth or proliferation of cells by disrupting the processes that lead directly to the generation of new proteins....
. The medication selectively inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by interacting at a site on the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome through an interaction that differs from other antibiotics.
Acceptance and repartition in the body (pharmakinetics)
Systemic exposure following topical application through intact skin was lowIndications
Retapamulin is indicated for the topical treatment of impetigo due to Staphylococcus aureusStaphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccal bacterium. It is frequently found as part of the normal skin flora on the skin and nasal passages. It is estimated that 20% of the human population are long-term carriers of S. aureus. S. aureus is the most common species of...
(methicillin-susceptible only) or Streptococcus pyogenes
Streptococcus pyogenes
Streptococcus pyogenes is a spherical, Gram-positive bacterium that is the cause of group A streptococcal infections. S. pyogenes displays streptococcal group A antigen on its cell wall. S...
.