Mupirocin

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on August 22, 2023

Mupirocin (myoo PEER oh sin) is a generic medication prescribed for certain types of bacterial skin infections. Mupirocin belongs to a group of drugs called topical antibiotics.

Mupirocin’s approved uses differ based on the form of mupirocin your doctor prescribes.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of mupirocin. To find coupons for mupirocin topical cream, see this article.

Uses of mupirocin

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as mupirocin for certain conditions. Approved uses for mupirocin are described below. These uses differ based on the form of mupirocin prescribed.

Use for certain types of bacterial skin infections

Mupirocin is used to treat certain skin conditions caused by specific types of bacteria. The form of mupirocin doctors prescribe depends on the condition being treated.

Doctors may prescribe mupirocin topical* cream for treating certain types of skin infections that develop in scratches, scrapes, or other breaks in the skin due to injury. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 3 months and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Bacterial skin infections develop when bacteria enter through breaks in the skin. These breaks may occur in many ways, including scratches, scrapes, burns, bites, or inflamed hair follicles. Common symptoms of skin infections include redness or discoloration, itching, swelling, pain, sores, or blisters.

Doctors may prescribe mupirocin topical* ointment for treating impetigo caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 2 months and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection that can cause sores and blisters. With impetigo, people often first notice discolored sores on their skin. These sores are usually itchy and painful and may become blisters that ooze and burst.

* Topical means applied to the skin.

Common questions about mupirocin

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about mupirocin.

Can I apply mupirocin on an open wound?

Whether you can apply mupirocin on an open wound depends on a few factors. (An open wound is one that involves a break in the skin.)

You can apply mupirocin cream to an open wound. However, you should not apply it near the eye or any area lined with mucous membranes, such as inside the mouth or nose. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to know more about where you can safely apply mupirocin.

It may be safe to apply mupirocin ointment to an open wound if your doctor directs you to do so. But your doctor may not recommend using the ointment for open wounds if you have:

• kidney problems
• a large or deep wound

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to know more about safely applying mupirocin.

How does mupirocin work? And how long does it take to start working?

Mupirocin works by killing the bacteria causing the skin infection. You should notice improvement in the appearance of your skin after 2–3 days of using mupirocin.

Even though your symptoms should ease in a few days, continue using mupirocin for the length of time your doctor prescribes. This is to ensure the infection is cleared.

If you’d like to know more about how mupirocin works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is mupirocin available over the counter?

No, mupirocin isn’t available over the counter (OTC). This medication is only available with a doctor’s prescription. While OTC antibiotic creams and ointments are available, none treat the same bacterial skin infections that mupirocin treats.

If you think you have a skin infection, talk with your doctor. They can determine what’s causing the infection and recommend appropriate treatments.

Side effects of mupirocin

Mupirocin may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of mupirocin and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about mupirocin’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for mupirocin listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of mupirocin are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about mupirocin’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for mupirocin listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mupirocin topical ointment’s mild side effects include:

• pain, burning, or stinging in the area of the application site
• rash or irritation in the area of the application site
• nausea
• itchiness in the area of the application site
• mild allergic reaction*

Mupirocin topical cream’s mild side effects include:

• headache
• rash or irritation in the area of the application site
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for mupirocin” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of mupirocin are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about mupirocin’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for mupirocin listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, mupirocin’s serious side effects include:

• Clostridioides difficile–associated diarrhea
• eye irritation (if the cream or ointment gets in the eye)
• severe allergic reaction†

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for mupirocin” section.

Interactions and warnings for mupirocin

Below, you’ll find information about mupirocin’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of mupirocin

Mupirocin isn’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. (Interactions can affect how a drug works.) But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with mupirocin won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with mupirocin.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with mupirocin. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:

• vaccines
• foods or alcohol
• other drugs

Warnings for mupirocin

Some people should not use mupirocin, and others should use it cautiously.

Mupirocin could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether mupirocin is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of mupirocin you use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for mupirocin, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Mupirocin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to mupirocin or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe mupirocin. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to mupirocin, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of mupirocin

You should not use more mupirocin than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much mupirocin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and mupirocin

Information about mupirocin and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Mupirocin and pregnancy

It’s not known whether mupirocin should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Mupirocin and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether mupirocin should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know whether you have questions about mupirocin or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long do I need to use mupirocin?
• How much cream or ointment should I put on the affected area?
• Can I use mupirocin at the same time as other lotions, creams, or ointments?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Mupirocin cream, for topical use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9a1be092-6fe8-4b7c-a668-e584783f888b/spl-doc
• Mupirocin ointment, for topical use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f7eafae0-c9cb-e6d5-e053-6394a90a1859/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.