What is Altabax, and what skin conditions does it treat?
Altabax is a brand of retapamulin, a topical antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial skin infections. It is used for impetigo and other localized skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
Does Altabax work for impetigo?
Yes. Altabax is specifically used for impetigo, which is a common contagious skin infection that often affects children and can spread by contact.
Is Altabax for all skin infections (like fungal or viral)?
No. Because Altabax is an antibiotic, it treats bacterial infections. It will not treat infections caused by fungi (like ringworm) or viruses (like cold sores). If you are unsure what type of infection you have, getting the skin evaluated helps avoid using an antibiotic when it will not help.
What to know about use and when to get medical help
Topical antibiotics like Altabax are meant for localized infections. Seek medical care promptly if the rash or wound is spreading quickly, the area is very painful, there is fever, pus is increasing, or there is no improvement after a few days, since the cause might not be bacterial or the infection may need a different treatment.
Where to check the official indication
For current, product-specific prescribing information (including approved indications and age limits), you can check DrugPatentWatch.com: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/