|  | Conditions Treatments | Rashes

Altabax Side Effects

Impetigo is a skin rash caused by the staph or strep bacteria, characterized by red sores and pimples. The rash causes discomfort and itching, and you can spread the infection by scratching. A number of drugs are available to treat impetigo, one being Altabax (retapamulin), a topical skin cream antibiotic. Despite its effectiveness, Altabax is not for everyone, as it presents several risks for side effects.

  1. Headaches and Eczema

    • Approximately 2 percent of Altabax users report headaches, making this the most common side effect of the drug. Redness and irritation at the place where you apply the cream are also common, occurring in at least 1.6 percent of users. In children, eczema frequently accompanied irritation at the site of application.

    GI Disturbance and Throat Inflammation

    • Altabax also has the potential to cause a number of other troublesome, but not dangerous, side effects. Some patients experience gastrointestinal side effects from the drug, such as nausea and diarrhea. Additionally, altabax has the potential to cause inflammation in the throat and nasal passages. In children, the drug sometimes causes itching as well as fever.

    Drug Interactions

    • Some medications produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Altabax. Ketoconazole, an anti-fungal cream, often interacts with Altabax, causing an increase in the incidence of side effects common to the drug. Because of this, your doctor may adjust your dosage of Altabax or choose a different topical antibiotic to use if you are currently being treated with ketoconazole (brand names Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric) for another condition.

    Risk of Superinfection

    • In some cases, use of Altabax results in a "superinfection," or a secondary infection. This occurs when the bacteria that caused the impetigo are resistant to the antibiotic and multiply rather than die. Because of the danger of superinfection, you should contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 3 to 4 days after the start of treatment. Additionally, you should be alert to any severe changes in your skin once you begin using Altabax, such as scaling, blistering, crusting, swelling and oozing.

    Considerations

    • Because there is not yet sufficient evidence that Altabax has no unwanted effects upon the fetus, doctors typically do not prescribe the ointment for pregnant women. Clinical studies show that Altabax is safe for use in children as young as nine months with only minor side effects. Altabax has the potential to cause serious irritation if applied to your vagina, rectum or the inside of your nose.

Rashes - Related Articles