DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Bactroban

In Canada—

• Bactroban

Other commonly used names are pseudomonic acid and pseudomonic acid A .

Category

• Antibacterial, topical

Description

Mupirocin (myoo-PEER-oh-sin) is used to treat bacterial infections. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.

Mupirocin ointment is applied to the skin to treat impetigo. It may also be used for other bacterial skin infections as determined by your doctor.

Mupirocin cream is applied to the skin to treat secondarily infected traumatic skin lesions.

Mupirocin is available in the U.S. only with your doctor's prescription. It is available in Canada without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of this medicine for your medical problem. Mupirocin is available in the following dosage form:

• Topical
• Ointment (U.S. and Canada)
• Cream (U.S.)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For topical mupirocin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to mupirocin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Topical mupirocin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medication has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether topical mupirocin passes into the breast milk. However, this medicine is unlikely to pass into the breast milk in large amounts, since very little mupirocin is absorbed into the mother's body when applied to the skin.

Children—Safety and effectiveness of mupirocin cream have not been established in children up to 3 months of age.

Safety and effectiveness of mupirocin ointment have not been established in children up to 2 months of age.

Older adults—No overall difference in safety and efficacy were observed in patients over 65 years of age.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of skin.

Proper Use of This Medicine

Do not use this medicine in the eyes .

To use:

• Before applying this medicine, wash the affected area(s) with soap and water, and dry thoroughly. Then apply a small amount to the affected area(s) and rub in gently.
• After applying this medicine, the treated area(s) may be covered with a gauze dressing if desired.

To help clear up your skin infection completely, keep using mupirocin for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses .

Dosing—Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average dose of mupirocin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For ointment dosage form:
  • Impetigo:
    • Adults and children 2 months of age and older— Apply three times a day.
    • Children under 2 months of age — Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

• For cream dosage form:
  • Secondarily infected traumatic skin lesions
    • Adults and children 3 months of age and older— Apply three times a day, for 10 days.
    • Children under 3 months of age — Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage—To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your skin infection does not improve within 3 to 5 days, or if it becomes worse, check with your health care professional.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The following side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

However, check with your doctor if any of these effects continue or are bothersome:

Less common

Dry skin; skin burning, itching, pain, rash, redness, stinging, or swelling; headache; nausea

Rare

Abdominal pain; dizziness secondary wound infection; sores on mouth and on lips

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Revised: 06/11/2001

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