Bactroban

Mupirocin comes in an ointment that is applied to the skin. Mupirocin usually is applied three times a day for 1 to 2 weeks. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use mupirocin exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Wash the affected skin area thoroughly, and then gently apply a small amount (a thin film) of the ointment. You may cover the area with a sterile gauze dressing.

Do not apply mupirocin to your eyes.

Do not apply mupirocin to burns unless told to do so by your doctor.

Bactroban is a prescription medication used to treat impetigo (a type of skin infection) and other small skin infections caused by certain types of bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Bactroban. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Bactroban include the following:

• itching
• burning
• redness
• stinging
• dryness

This is not a complete list of Bactroban side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Serious side effects have been reported with Bactroban including the following:

• hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction). Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity, which include the following:
  • chest pain
  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
  • difficulty breathing
  • fainting
  • rash
• superinfection. Bactroban should not be used for extended periods. Prolonged use can lead to the growth of dangerous organisms that are resistant or unresponsive to this medication. Use Bactroban for the duration prescribed by your doctor.

Do not take Bactroban if you are allergic to Bactroban or any of its ingredients.  Use caution when applying to face and avoid eye area.

Before taking Bactroban, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to any ingredient in Bactroban
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

• Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Bactroban, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about Bactroban. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using Bactroban (mupirocin cream and ointment).

Review Date: October 4, 2017

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of mupirocin nasal ointment in the geriatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.