Bactroban Ointment (Mupirocin)

(℞) Prescription Required

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Bactroban Ointment 2%

Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by: GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
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Bactroban Ointment 2%
Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
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Mupirocin Ointment 2%

Product of Canada
Manufactured by: Taro Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
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Mupirocin Ointment 2%
Product of Canada
Manufactured by Taro Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
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Bactroban Ointment (Mupirocin) Dosage and Side Effects

BACTROBAN is used to treat certain skin infections, such as impetigo and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Mupirocin is an antibiotic. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.

Warnings and Precautions

Use Bactroban cream or ointment for the full amount of time prescribed by your doctor or as recommended in the package even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely healed. Avoid your eyes, nose, mouth, and lips when applying Bactroban. If medication gets in any of these areas, wash with water.

Watch for signs of improvement in 3 to 5 days. If your condition gets worse or does not improve, see your doctor.

A separate formulation, Bactroban nasal ointment, is available for nasal use.

You should not use Bactroban cream or ointment if you are allergic to mupirocin.

Do not use Bactroban on a child without medical advice. The cream should not be used on a child younger than 3 months old. The ointment may be used on a child as young as 2 months old.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether mupirocin topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Bactroban: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

  • redness, itching, dryness, or other irritation of treated skin;

  • unusual skin blistering or peeling; or

  • any signs of a new skin infection.

Common Bactroban side effects may include:

  • rash;

  • nausea; or

  • headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interactions with this medication

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied mupirocin. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Proper Use of medication

Use Bactroban cream or ointment exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take by mouth. Bactroban is for use only on the skin. If this medicine gets in your eyes, nose, or mouth, rinse with water.

Wash your hands before and after applying Bactroban.

Clean and dry the affected skin area. Use a cotton swab or gauze pad to apply a small amount of Bactroban cream or ointment as directed.

Do not spread Bactroban over large areas of skin.

Use only a sterile gauze pad to cover the treated skin. Do not cover treated areas with a bandage, plastic wrap, or other covering that does not allow air to circulate.

Bactroban is usually applied 3 times per day for 10 days. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 3 to 5 days, or if your skin condition gets worse.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the medicine tube tightly closed when not in use.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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