Mupirocin is a generic prescription medication. It comes as a topical cream and ointment. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved these different forms to treat certain bacterial skin infections.
Specifically:
- mupirocin ointment is approved to treat impetigo in adults and children ages 2 months to 16 years
- mupirocin cream is approved to treat infected wounds in adults and children ages 3 months to 16 years
Mupirocin is used to treat infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (strep) bacteria.
For more information about these uses, see “Mupirocin ointment uses” and “Mupirocin cream uses” below.
Drug details
Mupirocin is a topical antibiotic drug.
Mupirocin cream comes in a strength of 2% or 20 milligrams per gram (mg/g) of cream. It’s available in 15-g and 30-g tubes.
Mupirocin ointment comes in a strength of 2% or 20 mg/g of ointment. It’s available in 1-g, 15-g, and 22-g tubes.
Brand-name versions
Mupirocin ointment comes as a brand-name version called Centany. A brand-name version of mupirocin cream and ointment, Bactroban, has been discontinued by the manufacturer. Mupirocin cream is only available as a generic drug.
Mupirocin ointment is a generic drug. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Centany is the brand-name medication that mupirocin is based on. Doctors consider generics to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
If you’re interested in trying Centany instead of mupirocin ointment, talk with your doctor. They can tell you whether Centany comes in forms and strengths that could treat your condition. If you have insurance, you’ll also need to check whether your plan will cover Centany.
To learn more about how generics compare with brand-name drugs, see this article.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as mupirocin ointment to treat certain conditions. Doctors may also proscribe mupirocin ointment off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when a doctor prescribed an FDA-approved drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
Mupirocin ointment for impetigo
Mupirocin ointment is FDA-approved to treat impetigo caused by certain types of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (staph) and Streptococcus pyogenes (strep).
It’s approved for this use in adults and children ages 2 months to 16 years.
Impetigo explained
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection. It typically affects skin on the face, arms, or legs, though it can occur anywhere on the body. Anyone can develop impetigo. However, it’s especially common in children ages 2 to 5 years.
The infection can easily pass from person to person through physical contact. It can also spread through contact with items used by a person who has impetigo, such as towels, clothes, sheets, and toys.
Impetigo occurs when bacteria, typically Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (strep), infect the outer layers of skin. This can happen to broken skin, for example, from scratching an insect bite or eczema. However, it can also happen if the skin is healthy and intact.
Symptoms of impetigo can include:
- discolored, sometimes itchy sores or blisters on the skin, often around the nose and mouth (redness may be less obvious on darker skin tones)
- sores or blisters that ooze or break open and leak clear fluid or pus
- crusty yellow and brown patches or scabs that appear after the sores or blisters break open
- fever and swollen glands in rare cases
Mupirocin treats impetigo by killing the bacteria that are causing the infection.
To learn more about skin infections, other skin conditions, and skin care, visit the Medical News Today dermatology hub.
Mupirocin ointment and children
Mupirocin ointment is FDA-approved to treat impetigo in children ages 2 months to 16 years. To learn more about this use, see “Mupirocin ointment for impetigo” just above.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as mupirocin cream to treat certain conditions. Doctors may also prescribe mupirocin cream off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
Mupirocin cream for certain skin infections
Mupirocin cream is FDA-approved to treat certain bacterial skin infections. Specifically, it’s approved to treat traumatic skin lesions (for example, cuts, scrapes, or wounds) that have become infected with certain types of bacteria. These are called secondary skin infections.
Mupirocin cream treats secondary skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (strep) bacteria. It’s approved for infected lesions that are up to 10 centimeters (cm) in length or 100 cm2 in area.
Mupirocin cream is approved for this use in adults and children ages 3 months to 16 years.
Skin infections explained
Secondary skin infections occur when bacteria get into the skin through a broken or damaged area of skin. For example, this can happen after an injury, such as a cut, scratch, or scrape. It can also happen after surgeries where the skin has been cut open and then sutured.
Symptoms of a secondary skin infection can include skin that’s:
- red, purple, or darker than is typical
- oozing or leaking pus
- swollen
- warmer than surrounding skin
- tender or painful
Mupirocin treats secondary skin infections by killing the bacteria causing the infection.
To learn more about skin infections, other skin conditions, and skin care, visit the Medical News Today dermatology hub.
Mupirocin cream and children
Mupirocin cream is FDA-approved to treat certain skin infections in children ages 3 months to 16 years. To learn more about this use, see “Mupirocin cream for certain skin infections” just above.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about mupirocin.
Can mupirocin be used for acne, eczema, or MRSA?
Mupirocin hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acne or eczema. However, doctors may sometimes prescribe it off-label to treat infected acne or eczema. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a use other than what it has been approved for by the FDA.)
Your doctor may prescribe mupirocin if your acne or eczema is infected with Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (strep) bacteria.
Generic mupirocin cream and ointment haven’t been approved by the FDA to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a type of bacteria that has developed resistance to certain antibiotics. (Resistance means that the bacteria can’t be killed by certain antibiotics.) It’s sometimes called a “superbug.”
MRSA exists in some people’s nasal passages. It can easily spread to other people and cause infections, especially in settings such as hospitals.
Mupirocin can kill MRSA. It used to be available as a nasal ointment called Bactroban. However, the manufacturer discontinued this medication. Bactroban was FDA-approved to get rid of MRSA in people’s nasal passages. Doctors sometimes prescribe mupirocin topical ointment off-label for this use.
To find out more about using mupirocin for acne, eczema, or MRSA, talk with your doctor.
How does mupirocin compare with Neosporin or bacitracin?
Mupirocin is a prescription antibiotic that comes as a topical cream and ointment. Doctors prescribe it to treat certain specific skin infections.
Neosporin and bacitracin are antibiotic medications that you can buy over the counter without a prescription. They come as creams and ointments. They’re first aid products that you can use to help prevent skin infections after minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
Neosporin is a brand-name medication that contains three antibiotics: bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate, and polymyxin B sulfate. Bacitracin is a generic medication. It only contains the antibiotic bacitracin zinc.
To learn more about how mupirocin compares with Neosporin or bacitracin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What happens if mupirocin is not working?
If your infection doesn’t start to reduce within 5 days, you should contact your doctor. Otherwise, the infection could become more serious or even life threatening. You may need a different treatment, such as an oral or IV antibiotic.
Signs that mupirocin is not working to treat your condition may include:
- your symptoms not easing within 3 to 5 days of starting treatment
- the infection spreading
- the infection getting worse (symptoms may include increasing discoloration, warmth, swelling, or pain)
- fever
- swollen glands near the site of the infection
Talk with your doctor if you experience any of the signs that mupirocin may not be working to treat your condition.
Mupirocin can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while using mupirocin. These lists do not include all possible side effects.
For more information about the possible side effects of mupirocin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.
Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with mupirocin, you can do so through MedWatch.
Mild side effects
Below is a partial list of mild side effects of mupirocin. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view the prescribing information for mupirocin cream or ointment.
Mild side effects of mupirocin cream can include:
- headache
- nausea
- rash
- burning sensation at the application site
- itching
- dizziness
- abdominal pain
- dermatitis (skin inflammation)
- mild allergic reaction*
Mild side effects of mupirocin ointment can include:
- burning, stinging, or pain at the application site
- itching
- rash
- erythema (skin discoloration and warmth)
- dry skin
- skin tenderness or swelling
- dermatitis (skin inflammation)
- increased weeping
- nausea
- mild allergic reaction*
Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* For more information about allergic reaction and mupirocin, see “Allergic reaction” below.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from mupirocin aren’t common. However, they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects of mupirocin cream and ointment can include:
- diarrhea caused by a bowel infection with the bacteriaClostridioides difficile
- increased growth of other microorganisms (germs), such as fungi, which aren’t susceptible to mupirocin
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about allergic reaction and mupirocin, see “Allergic reaction” below.
ALLERGIC REACTIONAs with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after using mupirocin. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of this drug. However, it has occurred since the drug was approved.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
A more severe allergic reaction is rare. However, it is possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
- trouble breathing
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to mupirocin, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
The following information describes mupirocin dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for impetigo
Here’s mupirocin dosage information for impetigo.
| Mupirocin for impetigo | |
| Form | topical ointment |
| Strength | 2% |
| Dose | a small amount applied to the affected area |
| How often | three times per day for 10 days |
| Administered by | self (see below) |
Apply the ointment thinly using a cotton swab or gauze pad. Talk with your doctor if the impetigo doesn’t start to ease within 5 days.
Be sure to complete the prescribed course of treatment, even if your symptoms have got better. Stopping treatment early could cause the infection to come back. It could also lead to the bacteria developing resistance to mupirocin. This means mupirocin may no longer be effective for treating the infection.
Dosage for certain other skin infections
Here’s mupirocin dosage information for certain other skin infections.
| Mupirocin for certain other skin infections | |
| Form | topical cream |
| Strength | 2% |
| Dose | a small amount applied to the affected area |
| How often | three times per day for 10 days |
| Administered by | self (see below) |
Apply the cream thinly using a cotton swab or gauze pad. Talk with your doctor if the infection doesn’t start to ease within 5 days.
Be sure to complete the prescribed course of treatment, even if your symptoms have got better. Stopping treatment early could cause the infection to come back. It could also lead to the bacteria developing resistance to mupirocin. This means mupirocin may no longer be effective for treating the infection.
Children’s dosage
A doctor may prescribe mupirocin ointment to treat impetigo in children ages 2 months to 16 years. The dosage is the same as for adults. See above for details.
A doctor may prescribe mupirocin cream to treat certain other skin infections in children ages 3 months to 16 years. The dosage is the same as for adults. See above for details.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of mupirocin cream or ointment, apply the missed dose as soon as possible. Then continue with your treatment as scheduled.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Will I need to use this drug long term?
No, mupirocin is meant to be used as 10-day treatment course. Do not use mupirocin cream or ointment for longer than prescribed by your doctor. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
Prolonged use could lead to the bacteria developing resistance to mupirocin. This means mupirocin may no longer be effective at treating the infection. It could also lead to increased growth of other microorganisms (germs), such as fungi, which aren’t susceptible to mupirocin.
Mupirocin is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, or foods. The manufacturer did not list any interactions in the prescribing information for the cream or ointment.
However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new drugs could be approved that interact with mupirocin.
Before starting mupirocin treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Although mupirocin isn’t known to interact with other medications, you should not apply it at the same time as other skin products. Avoid applying other skin creams, ointments, or lotions (including moisturizers) within about 30 minutes of applying mupirocin. Other skin products could dilute mupirocin cream or ointment, which might make it less effective.
Here’s some information about the safety of using mupirocin cream or ointment during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Mupirocin and pregnancy
It’s not known whether mupirocin is safe to use during pregnancy. Small amounts of mupirocin absorb into the bloodstream after applying the cream or ointment to the skin. However, it’s not known whether this can affect the fetus. Researchers haven’t clinically trialed the drug in people who are pregnant.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using mupirocin cream or ointment.
Mupirocin and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether mupirocin gets into breast milk or if it can affect a child who’s breastfed. However, only small amounts of mupirocin absorb into the bloodstream after applying the cream or ointment to the skin. It’s not expected that a child who’s breastfed would be exposed to the drug.
If you’re breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child while using mupirocin cream or ointment. If your doctor recommends you continue to breastfeed, take steps to ensure that your child isn’t exposed to mupirocin cream or ointment that’s on your skin. Cover treated areas with a gauze dressing if your doctor recommends this. If you’re using the cream or ointment on your breast or nipple, wash it off before breastfeeding.
Mupirocin and birth control
It’s not known whether mupirocin is safe to use during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re using mupirocin.
For more information about using mupirocin during pregnancy, see “Mupirocin and pregnancy” above.
As with all medications, the cost of mupirocin can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.
Before approving coverage for mupirocin, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether the drug will be covered.
If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to get prior authorization for mupirocin, contact your insurance company.
Financial and insurance assistance
Financial assistance to help you pay for mupirocin may be available.
Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites offering resources that may help decrease the price you pay for mupirocin. They also offer tools to help you find low cost healthcare, as well as educational resources. To learn more, visit their sites.
Mail-order pharmacies
Mupirocin may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.
Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.
Mupirocin isn’t known to interact with alcohol. Experts typically consider it safe to drink alcohol while using this medication. However, check with your doctor first.
You should use mupirocin according to the instructions your doctor gives you.
Apply mupirocin cream or ointment to the affected area of skin only.
Wash your hands before applying mupirocin. Apply a small amount of cream or ointment to the affected areas using a cotton swab or gauze pad. Cover the treated area with a gauze dressing if this is recommended by your doctor.
Take care to avoid getting the cream or ointment in your eyes, as it could cause eye irritation. If you accidentally get mupirocin in your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with water.
Wash your hands after applying mupirocin unless your hands are the area you’re treating.
When to apply
You should typically apply mupirocin cream or ointment three times a day for 10 days.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Be sure to complete the prescribed course of treatment, even if your symptoms have eased. Stopping treatment early could cause the infection to come back. It could also lead to the bacteria developing resistance to mupirocin. This means mupirocin may no longer be effective for treating the infection.
Accessible labels and containers
If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.
This drug comes with some precautions. These are known as drug-condition interactions.
If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors pertain to you, be sure to talk with your doctor before using mupirocin.
- if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant
- if you’re breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding
- if you’ve had an allergic reaction to mupirocin cream or ointment or any of its ingredients
- if you have kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease
Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of mupirocin, see the “Mupirocin topical forms side effects” section above.
Do not use more mupirocin than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.
What to do in case you use too much mupirocin
If you think you’ve used too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
When you get mupirocin from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packaging. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.
The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The
Storage
How long a medication remains good to use can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.
Mupirocin cream and ointment should be stored at room temperature. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.
Disposal
If you no longer need to use mupirocin and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from using the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.
This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
