New Altabax (Retapamulin Ointment)

                   Introducing Altabax (Retapamulin Ointment) Topical Antibacterial for the treatment of Impetigo due to Staphylococcus Auerus or Streptococcus Pyogenes

                   May 2007

                   Dear RxLink Pharmacist, 

                   GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is pleased to announce the avalibility of Altabax, the first new class of prescription antibiotics for topical use in nearly two decades. Altabax, a member of the pleuromutilin class, has a novel mode of action that interferes with multipul aspects of protein synthesis, unlike any other antibacterial. Altabax prevents normal ribsome formulation, inhibits peptidyl transfer, and blocks P-site interactions. In addition, Altabax has low propensity for resistence in vitro, with no target-specific cross-resistent to other antibiotic classes. Altabax has demonstrated potent in vitro activity against mupirocin-resistent strains of S. aureus.

                    Altabax demonstrates superior efficacy in impetigo due to S. aureus and S.pyogenes. The effiicacy of Altabax versus key pathogens was demostrated in a placbo-controlled study, Altabax demonstrates clinical success in impetigo due to S. aureus and S. pyogenes.

                     Results of clinical trials in adults and pediatric patients aged 9 months and older also demonstrated that Altabax in generally well tolerated with virtually no side effects. Altabax is also the only prescription topical antibacterial approved for 5-day b.i.d. dosing.

NDC No.                           Product                               Strength                                   Size

0007-5180-05                   Altabax                               1%                                          5gm

0007-5180-10                   Altabax                               1%                                         10gm

0007-5180-22                   Altabax                               1%                                        15gm  

For more information regarding Altabax, please speak with your GSK Account Manager or call the GSK Response Center at 1-888-825-5249.

See important safty information on the following page. 

Sincerely,

John F. Tomayko, MD

Director 

Medicine Developement Center, GlaxoSmithKline

Infectious Disease

Altabax is indicated for the use in adults and pediatric patients aged 9 months and older for the topical treatment of impetigo (up to 100cm2 in total aers in adults or 2% total surface area in pediatric paitents aged 9 months or older) due to Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible isolates only) or Streptococcus pyogenes.

Contraindications: None

The most common drug-related adverse reaction was application site irritation (1.4% of patients).

Please see accompanying complete Prescribing Information.