Patient information: uses, side effects, how to take - Mupirocin
What is mupirocin ointment?
Mupirocin ointment is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical use) to treat a skin infection called impetigo that is caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. It is not known if mupirocin ointment is safe and effective in children under 2 months of age.
Who should not use mupirocin ointment?
Do not use mupirocin ointment if:
- you are allergic to mupirocin or any of the ingredients in mupirocin ointment. See the end of this Patient Information leaflet for a complete list of the ingredients in mupirocin ointment.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using mupirocin ointment?
Before using mupirocin ointment, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you:
- have kidney problems
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if mupirocin ointment will harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if mupirocin ointment passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you can use mupirocin ointment while breastfeeding.
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not mix mupirocin ointment with other lotions, creams, or ointments.
How should I use mupirocin ointment?
- Mupirocin ointment is for use on the skin (topical). Do not get mupirocin ointment in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina (mucosal surfaces).
- Use mupirocin ointment exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
- Apply a small amount of mupirocin ointment, with a cotton swab or gauze pad, to the affected area 3 times each day.
- It is important that you take the full course of mupirocin ointment. Do not stop early because your symptoms may disappear before the infection is fully cleared.
- Wash your hands before and after applying mupirocin ointment.
- After applying mupirocin ointment, you may cover the treated area with a clean gauze pad, unless your healthcare provider has told you to leave it uncovered.
- Talk to your healthcare provider if your skin does not improve after 3 to 5 days of treatment with mupirocin ointment.
- If you are breastfeeding and use mupirocin ointment on your breast or nipple, wash the area well before breastfeeding your child.
What are the possible side effects of mupirocin ointment?
Mupirocin ointment may cause serious side effects, including:
- severe allergic reactions. Stop using mupirocin ointment and call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:
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- eye irritation. Do not get mupirocin ointment in your eyes. If mupirocin ointment gets in your eyes, rinse your eyes well with water.
- irritation in the area mupirocin ointment is used. Stop using mupirocin ointment and call your healthcare provider if you develop an irritation, severe itching, or a rash while using mupirocin ointment.
- a type of diarrhea called clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). CDAD may happen in people who use or have used medicine to treat bacterial infections. The severity of CDAD can range from mild diarrhea to severe diarrhea that may cause death (fatal colitis). Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have diarrhea while using or after you stop using mupirocin ointment.
- risk of absorption of polyethylene glycol through the skin. Mupirocin ointment contains polyethylene glycol, which in large amounts can cause kidney damage. You should not apply mupirocin ointment to open skin wounds or damaged skin, especially if you have kidney problems.
- increased risk of infection at IV (intravenous) sites. Mupirocin ointment should not be used on skin that is near an IV (intravenous) site.
The most common side effects of mupirocin ointment include:
- burning
- stinging or pain
- itching
These are not all the possible side effects of mupirocin ointment. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store mupirocin ointment?
- Store mupirocin ointment at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
- Keep mupirocin ointment and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about the safe and effective use of mupirocin ointment
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use mupirocin ointment for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give mupirocin ointment to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about mupirocin ointment that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in mupirocin ointment?
Active Ingredient: mupirocin
Inactive Ingredients: polyethylene glycol 400 and polyethylene glycol 3350
Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Distributed by:
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
Questions? 1 (888) 721-7115
www.glenmarkpharma-us.com
This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Revised: June 2025