FARCOCIN
Cream / Ointment — Gentamicin 0.1%
1. Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational and reference purposes only and is not a substitute for the official product leaflet, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Product formulations, approved indications, availability, and regulatory information may change between countries and over time.
We do not guarantee the accuracy, currency or completeness of information regarding medications or medical products, and official sources should be verified before making any decisions. Readers are responsible for independently verifying the information before relying on it.
2. Summary
Farcocin is a topical dermatological antibiotic containing gentamicin 0.1% (equivalent to 1 mg gentamicin activity per gram). It is an aminoglycoside antibacterial intended for the topical treatment of susceptible bacterial skin infections. The cream and ointment are available in 20-g tubes in current Egyptian market listings.
3. Brand Name
Farcocin 0.1% Cream 20 g
Farcocin 0.1% Ointment 20 g
Both formulations are listed in Egypt as products manufactured by Pharco.
4. Category
Aminoglycoside antibiotic — topical dermatological antibacterial.
Gentamicin is a bactericidal aminoglycoside.
5. Active Ingredient
Gentamicin (as gentamicin sulfate).
Each 1 g contains gentamicin sulfate equivalent to 1 mg gentamicin activity, corresponding to 0.1% w/w gentamicin.
6. Pharmaceutical Form & Strength
- Cream: Gentamicin 0.1% w/w — 1 mg/g.
- Ointment: Gentamicin 0.1% w/w — 1 mg/g.
- Pack size: 20-g tube for the Egyptian Farcocin presentations identified in current market listings.
The cream is generally more suitable when a washable, less occlusive preparation is desired, including wet or oozing lesions, whereas the ointment provides a more occlusive/emollient base and may be useful for dry lesions.
7. Manufacturer & Marketing Authorization Holder
Manufacturer / Producer: Pharco Pharmaceuticals, Egypt.
Available regulatory records identify Pharco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. as the manufacturer of Farcocin cream and give its Egyptian manufacturing location as Kilo 31 Alexandria–Cairo Desert Road, Egypt; P.O. Box 12, Sidi Gaber, Alexandria.
Marketing Authorization Holder: The publicly accessible sources reviewed did not provide sufficiently reliable current evidence to independently confirm a separate MAH distinct from Pharco Pharmaceuticals. Therefore, no separate MAH is stated here.
8. Mechanism of Action
Gentamicin enters susceptible bacterial cells and binds to the 30S bacterial ribosomal subunit. It interferes with initiation and causes misreading of mRNA, resulting in production of abnormal proteins and disruption of bacterial protein synthesis. These effects contribute to its bactericidal activity.
9. Spectrum of Activity
Gentamicin has activity against many susceptible Gram-negative organisms and certain Gram-positive organisms, including susceptible strains of Staphylococcus. Activity may include organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, and Serratia, but susceptibility is organism- and strain-dependent. Resistance to gentamicin occurs and should not be assumed absent.
Gentamicin should not be considered an appropriate treatment for fungal or viral skin infections themselves. If bacterial superinfection is present, antibacterial treatment may be considered according to clinical assessment.
10. Pharmacokinetics
Farcocin is administered topically, and systemic exposure from intact skin is generally limited. However, absorption can increase when gentamicin is applied to large areas, damaged/ulcerated skin, or under conditions that enhance penetration.
Because Farcocin is a topical product, clinically useful systemic pharmacokinetic parameters such as a standard half-life or clearance value are not established for routine use of this specific product. Consequently, systemic gentamicin pharmacokinetic data should not be presented as though they directly describe Farcocin after ordinary topical application.
11. Indications
Farcocin is intended for superficial bacterial skin infections caused by gentamicin-susceptible organisms.
Examples described in topical gentamicin product information include:
- Impetigo.
- Superficial folliculitis.
- Furunculosis.
- Infected wounds and superficial skin lesions.
- Certain infected burns or ulcers.
- Bacterial infection associated with eczematous or seborrheic dermatitis when susceptible bacteria are involved.
Historical/local product information has also listed various secondary bacterial skin infections. Such listings should not be interpreted as meaning that gentamicin treats the underlying inflammatory, fungal, or viral disorder. Serious, extensive, deep, or systemic infections generally require appropriate medical assessment and may require systemic antimicrobial therapy.
Important correction: Pyoderma gangrenosum should not be presented as a routine indication for gentamicin. It is primarily an inflammatory neutrophilic dermatosis, and topical gentamicin does not treat its underlying pathogenesis.
12. Administration
Apply a small/thin amount to the affected skin, generally 3–4 times daily according to the product directions or healthcare professional's instructions. A gauze dressing may be used when clinically appropriate.
Hands should be washed before and after application unless the hands themselves are being treated.
Do not apply to the eyes or use the dermatological preparation as an ophthalmic product.
13. Method of Preparation
Not applicable for the patient. Farcocin cream and ointment are supplied as ready-to-use finished topical preparations. They do not require reconstitution, dilution, or preparation before application.
14. Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to gentamicin or any component of the formulation.
- The dermatological preparation should not be used as an ophthalmic product.
15. Warnings & Precautions
- For external dermatological use only.
- Avoid contact with the eyes.
- Topical antibiotics may occasionally promote overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi. If sensitization, significant irritation, or superinfection develops, treatment should be discontinued and the condition reassessed.
- Prolonged or unnecessary use of topical antibiotics should be avoided because of the risk of resistance and superinfection.
- Use cautiously over large areas, severely damaged skin, ulcers, or under occlusive dressings, because systemic absorption may be increased.
- Do not rely on Farcocin for serious, extensive, deep, or systemic infections without appropriate medical assessment.
- Gentamicin should not be used to treat fungal or viral infections themselves.
- If the condition worsens, fails to improve, or develops increasing redness, swelling, discharge, pain, or other signs of superinfection, medical reassessment is appropriate.
16. Drug Interactions
Clinically significant drug interactions are unlikely with ordinary topical use on intact skin because systemic exposure is generally low.
However, systemic absorption may increase with extensive or damaged-skin application. Therefore, prolonged or extensive topical use warrants greater caution in patients receiving other potentially nephrotoxic or ototoxic aminoglycosides or other medicines capable of producing similar toxicity.
No routine interaction adjustment is established for normal localized topical use.
17. Side Effects
Possible adverse effects are primarily local and may include:
- Mild redness (erythema).
- Itching (pruritus).
- Local irritation.
- Contact sensitization or dermatitis.
- Superinfection or overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi.
Systemic aminoglycoside toxicities such as nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity are not expected with ordinary limited topical use, but clinically significant systemic absorption is theoretically possible when large areas or damaged skin are treated.
18. Use in Special Populations
Children: Topical gentamicin 0.1% products have been used in children, and some product labeling specifically reports use in infants over 1 year of age. The age restrictions for Farcocin itself should be confirmed from the current Egyptian package leaflet before pediatric use.
Pregnancy: Specific pregnancy data for Farcocin are limited. Because systemic absorption is usually low but may increase with extensive application, use during pregnancy should be based on a healthcare professional's assessment of expected benefit versus potential risk.
Breastfeeding: Data regarding clinically relevant exposure from topical gentamicin are limited. Avoid unnecessary application to the breast/nipple immediately before breastfeeding, and seek professional advice when extensive treatment is required.
Elderly: No specific routine dosage adjustment is established for localized topical use. Greater caution is appropriate when extensive or prolonged treatment could increase systemic exposure.
Renal impairment: Routine renal dose adjustment is generally not required for limited topical use, but increased systemic absorption could be clinically relevant in extensive application because systemically absorbed gentamicin is renally eliminated.
19. Storage Conditions
The original Farcocin information specifies:
Keep below 30°C.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store the tube in its original container and follow the current package labeling for any additional storage instructions.
20. Additional Sections
Cream vs. Ointment: The cream is generally preferable when a washable preparation is desired and is commonly suited to wet/oozing lesions. The ointment is more occlusive and helps retain moisture, making it useful for dry eczematous or psoriatic skin when bacterial infection is present.
Antimicrobial stewardship: Gentamicin should be reserved for bacterial infections in which its activity is appropriate. Topical antibiotic therapy should not be used indiscriminately for noninfectious inflammatory skin disorders or uncomplicated fungal/viral infections.
Current Egyptian presentations identified:
- Farcocin 0.1% Cream 20 g — Gentamicin — Pharco.
- Farcocin 0.1% Ointment 20 g — Gentamicin — Pharco.
These presentations are currently listed by Egyptian pharmacy/drug-information sources reviewed in 2026.
21. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is Farcocin used for?
It is a topical gentamicin antibiotic used for susceptible bacterial skin infections.
Q2. Is Farcocin an antifungal or antiviral medicine?
No. Gentamicin is an antibacterial antibiotic and does not treat fungal or viral infections.
Q3. What is the difference between Farcocin cream and ointment?
Both contain gentamicin 0.1%. The cream is generally more suitable when a washable preparation is desired and for wet/oozing lesions, while the ointment is more occlusive and can be useful for dry lesions.
Q4. Can Farcocin be used in the eye?
No. Farcocin is a dermatological preparation and should not be used as an ophthalmic product.
Q5. How often is Farcocin applied?
Topical gentamicin 0.1% product labeling commonly recommends application 3–4 times daily. The current Farcocin package directions should be followed.
Q6. Can Farcocin be used on an infected wound or burn?
Topical gentamicin products have been used for certain superficial infected wounds and burns. However, large, deep, extensive, or seriously infected wounds/burns require professional assessment and may require systemic treatment.
Q7. Can Farcocin be used for acne?
Some older topical gentamicin labeling includes pustular acne, but topical antibiotic monotherapy is not generally preferred as a modern acne-management strategy because of antimicrobial-resistance concerns. It should not be used routinely for acne without appropriate clinical guidance.
Q8. Can Farcocin treat pyoderma gangrenosum?
No. Pyoderma gangrenosum is primarily an inflammatory skin disease, and gentamicin does not treat its underlying cause. Antibiotics may only have a role when a separate bacterial infection is present.
22. References
- DailyMed / U.S. National Library of Medicine — Gentamicin Sulfate Cream USP 0.1%.
- DailyMed / U.S. National Library of Medicine — Gentamicin Sulfate Ointment USP 0.1%.
- AHFS Drug Information / Gentamicin Topical Monograph.
- MedlinePlus — Gentamicin Topical.
- Mayo Clinic — Gentamicin Topical. Updated May 2026.
- Egyptian market listings reviewed for current Farcocin presentations: Farcocin 0.1% cream 20 g and Farcocin 0.1% ointment 20 g, listed as Pharco products.
- National Drug Authority Uganda — registered Farcocin product information identifying Pharco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. as manufacturer and 0.1% w/w gentamicin sulfate cream in a 20-g tube.