Sodium Fusidate is a medication used to treat various bacterial infections. The word is spelled as "soh-dee-uhm foo-si-deyt" based on the IPA phonetic transcription. The initial syllable, "soh", is pronounced with an open back unrounded vowel. The second syllable, "dee", has a short vowel sound. The third syllable, "uhm", is pronounced with a muted "m" sound. The fourth syllable, "foo", has a long "u" sound. The final syllable, "si-deyt", is pronounced with a long "i" sound followed by "dayt".
Sodium fusidate is a pharmaceutical compound classified as an antibiotic. It is derived from the natural fungal product fusidic acid, and is usually administered as a sodium salt due to its enhanced stability and solubility. Sodium fusidate exhibits a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, primarily against gram-positive bacteria. It works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, specifically by interfering with the elongation factor G (EF-G) and its ribosome interaction. This disruption prevents the formation of functional ribosome complexes, halting bacterial growth and replication.
Sodium fusidate is commonly used in the treatment of various skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria, such as impetigo, infected eczema, and infected dermatitis. It may also be prescribed for more severe infections, including bone and joint infections, respiratory tract infections, and endocarditis, in combination with other antibiotics. Due to its unique mode of action, sodium fusidate has shown efficacy against strains that are resistant to other antibiotics, making it a valuable therapeutic option in such cases.
This medication is typically administered topically in the form of a cream, ointment, or gel for superficial skin infections. In more severe infections or systemic manifestations, it may be given orally or intravenously. Adverse reactions to sodium fusidate are generally uncommon, but can include gastrointestinal disturbances, allergic reactions, and changes in liver function. It is important to follow the prescribed dosage and duration of treatment to achieve optimal efficacy and minimize the risk of developing resistance.
The word "sodium fusidate" has a scientific etymology, derived from the names of its components.
- "Sodium" refers to the chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It takes its name from the English word "soda", which is derived from the Arabic word "suda", meaning "headache". Sodium is a highly reactive metal and was historically used in the production of soda ash.
- "Fusidate" comes from "fusidic acid", which is an antibiotic substance derived from the fungus Fusidium coccineum. Fusidic acid was first isolated from the fungus in the 1950s and subsequently developed into the medication known as sodium fusidate.
In summary, "sodium fusidate" is a compound consisting of sodium and fusidic acid, which is used as an antibiotic medication.