MUPIROCIN (Nasal)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Bactroban Nasal

Category

• Antibacterial, nasal

Description

Mupirocin (myoo-PEER-oh-sin) is used inside the nose to kill a certainbacteria, known as Staphylococcus aureus (alsoknown as ?staph?), that has become resistant to the antibioticmethicillin.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage form:

Nasal
• Nasal ointment (U.S.)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nasal mupirocin, thefollowing 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 foods, preservatives, ordyes.

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

Breast-feeding?It is not known whether nasal mupirocin passesinto breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are usingthis medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients and there is no specific information comparing use of nasal mupirocinin children with use in other age groups. However, a study in newborns andinfants found that significant amounts of nasal mupirocin were absorbed intothe body.

Older adults?No information is available comparing use of nasalmupirocin in the elderly with use in other adults. However, it has not beenreported to cause different side effects or other problems in older peoplethan it does in younger adults.

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. When you are usingnasal mupirocin, it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are using any of the following:

• Other medicines used in the nose?Use at the same time as intranasalmupirocin is not recommended

Proper Use of This Medicine

To use the nasal ointment

• First, wash your hands.
• Apply approximately 1/2 of the ointment from the single-use tubedirectly from the tube into one nostril. Then apply the remainder of the ointmentdirectly into the other nostril.
• Close your nostrils by pressing the sides of the nose together andthen releasing them. Do this over and over again for approximately one minute.You may also press the sides of the nose together and gently massage the nose.These methods will help spread the medicine throughout the inside of the nostrils.
• Discard the tube after using. The tube only has enough medicine forone dose in each nostril.
• Be careful not to touch your eyes.
• Immediately after using the nose ointment, wash your hands to removeany medicine that may be on them.

Dosing?The dose of nasal mupirocin will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of nasal mupirocin. If your dose isdifferent, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For nasal dosage form (nasal ointment):
  • To kill Staphylococcus aureus (?staph?)bacteria in the nose:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older?Approximately1/2 of the ointment from a single-use tube squeezed into each nostril twotimes a day (morning and evening) for five days.
    • Children less than 12 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.

Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, use 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. Do not double doses.

Storage?To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• 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

Keep this medicine away from your eyes. If this medicinegets in the eyes, it may cause severe burning and tearing that may last daysor weeks. If this occurs, contact your doctor.

Do not use any other medicine in your nose withoutfirst checking with your doctor.

If severe nasal irritation occurs, discontinue useof this medicine and contact your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine maycause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur,if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possibleif any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Chest congestion; cough

Rare

Ear pain

Other side effects may occur that usually donot need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Headache

Less common

Burning or stinging in the nose; changein taste; itching; sorethroat; stuffy or runny nose

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