MUPIROCIN (Topical)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Bactroban

In Canada?

• Bactroban

Other commonly used names are pseudomonicacidand pseudomonic acid A.

Category

• Antibacterial, topical

Description

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

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

Mupirocin cream is applied to the skin to treat secondarily infected traumaticskin 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 mayhave special instructions on the proper use of this medicine for your medicalproblem. 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 willdo. 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 orallergic reaction to mupirocin. Also tell your health care professional ifyou are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy?Topical mupirocin has not been studied in pregnantwomen. However, this medication has not been shown to cause birth defectsor other problems in animal studies.

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

Children?Safety and effectiveness of mupirocin cream havenot been established in children up to 3 months of age.

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

Older adults?No overall difference in safety and efficacy wereobserved in patients over 65 years of age.

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional 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 soapand 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 coveredwith a gauze dressing if desired.

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

Dosing?Follow your doctor's ordersor the directions on the label. The following information includesonly 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 threetimes a day.
    • Children under 2 months of age ? Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.

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

Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed 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 surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If yourskin 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 maycause some unwanted effects. The following side effects may go away duringtreatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

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

Less common

Rare

Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour doctor.