Mupirocin Ointment – Uses, Side Effects, and More

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Mupirocin, Topical Ointment

Mupirocin is a prescription drug. It comes as a topical ointment and a topical cream.

Mupirocin topical ointment is available as the brand-name drug Centany. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drug.

Mupirocin topical ointment may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to use it with other medications.

Why it’s used

Mupirocin topical ointment is used to treat impetigo. This is a skin infection caused by bacteria.

How it works

Mupirocin belongs to a class of drugs called topical antibacterials. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Mupirocin works to kill the bacteria that are causing your infection. These include strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Mupirocin stops the bacteria from multiplying.

Mupirocin topical ointment doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of mupirocin topical ointment can include:

• burning, stinging, pain, itching, rash, redness, dryness, tenderness, or swelling of the treated skin
• nausea
• increased oozing at the infection site

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Diarrhea that doesn’t go away. The diarrhea may be due to an infection caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile, which is often called C. difficile or C. diff.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history.

An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help prevent interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking.

To find out how mupirocin topical ointment might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Mupirocin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• trouble breathing or swallowing
• shortness of breath
• swelling of your throat or tongue
• itching
• body rash
• chest tightness
• skin on your face or body that’s pale or flushed (warm and red)
• a panic attack or feeling that bad things are going to happen

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t use this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Using it again could be fatal (cause death).

Contact with drug warning

This drug can be transferred to other people if they touch your treated skin. Talk to your doctor about what you should do to prevent this from happening. One way to prevent drug transfer is to cover the treated area with a gauze dressing.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Mupirocin is a category B pregnancy drug. That means two things:

1. Studies of the drug in pregnant animals have not shown a risk to the fetus.
2. There aren’t enough studies done in pregnant women to show if the drug poses a risk to the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

For women who are breastfeeding: It’s not known whether mupirocin passes into breast milk or causes side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop using this medication.

For children: Mupirocin topical ointment hasn’t been studied in children younger than 2 months.

When to call the doctor

Call your doctor if the treated skin doesn’t look better after 3 to 5 days.

All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you use the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Drug forms and strengths

Generic: Mupirocin

Brand: Centany

Dosage for impetigo

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Typical dosage: A small amount of the ointment applied to the infected skin three times per day for up to 10 days.

Child dosage (ages 2 months to 17 years)

Typical dosage: A small amount of the ointment applied to the infected area of skin three times per day for up to 10 days.

Child dosage (ages 0–1 month)

This medication hasn’t been studied in children younger than 2 months of age.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Mupirocin topical ointment is used for short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t use it as prescribed.

If you stop using the drug suddenly or don’t use it at all: Your infection may not improve, and it may get worse.

If you miss doses or don’t use the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. The bacteria that this drug is treating may also develop resistance. This means that your medication will no longer work to kill the bacteria. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be at the site of infection at all times.

If you use too much: The bacteria this drug is treating may develop resistance. This means that your medication will no longer work to kill the bacteria. If you think you’ve used too much of this drug, call your doctor.

What to do if you miss a dose: Apply your dose as soon as you remember. If you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, apply only one dose.

How to tell if the drug is working: Your infection should start to get better within 3 to 5 days of using this drug.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes mupirocin for you.

General

• Apply the drug three times per day, about every 8 hours.
• Only apply this drug to your skin. Do not use the topical ointment in your nose.

Storage

• Store mupirocin topical ointment at room temperature. Keep it between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). Don’t freeze it.
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t harm your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Availability

Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.

Hidden costs

You may need to buy gauze dressings to cover the area where you applied the mupirocin ointment.

Prior authorization

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor may need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.

Last medically reviewed on August 23, 2021

Mupirocin Ointment – Uses, Side Effects, and More

Mupirocin is used to treat certain skin infections (such as impetigo). It is an antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of certain bacteria.

How to use Mupirocin Ointment

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using mupirocin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Use this medication only on the skin. Clean and dry the affected area first. Then apply a small amount of ointment to the area as directed by your doctor, usually 3 times a day. You may cover the treated area with a bandage.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Continue to use it for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Avoid using this medication around your eyes, nose, mouth, or on large areas of damaged or broken skin unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you accidentally get it in your eyes, nose, or mouth, rinse well with plenty of water.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better in 3 to 5 days.

Side Effects

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Although uncommon, mild burning or stinging after using this medication may occur. If you have severe burning, stinging, or irritation, stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away.

This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: diarrhea that doesn’t stop, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool.

If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse.

Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a new skin infection caused by fungus or yeast. Tell your doctor right away if you notice signs of a new infection, or if your current infection does not get better or if it gets worse.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using mupirocin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as polyethylene glycol found in some brands), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease (if you are using a brand of mupirocin that contains polyethylene glycol).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.