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Mupirocin Drug Information Provided by Lexi-Comp

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Medication Safety Issues

Sound-alike/look-alike issues:

Bactroban® may be confused with bacitracin, baclofen, Bactrim™

Pronunciation

(myoo PEER oh sin)

U.S. Brand Names

  • Bactroban®
  • Bactroban® Nasal
  • Centany™ [DSC]

Index Terms

  • Mupirocin Calcium
  • Pseudomonic Acid A

Generic Available

Yes: Topical ointment

Canadian Brand Names

  • Bactroban®

Pharmacologic Category

  • Antibiotic, Topical

Pharmacologic Category Synonyms

  • Topical Antibiotic

Use: Labeled Indications

Intranasal: Eradication of nasal colonization with MRSA in adult patients and healthcare workers

Topical: Treatment of impetigo or secondary infected traumatic skin lesions due to S. aureus and S. pyogenes

Use: Unlabeled/Investigational

Intranasal: Surgical prophylaxis to prevent wound infections

Pregnancy Risk Factor

B

Pregnancy Considerations

Teratogenic effects were not observed in animal studies. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women; use during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Lactation

Excretion in breast milk unknown/use caution

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to mupirocin or any component of the formulation

Warnings/Precautions

Concerns related to adverse effects:

• Irritation: If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.

• Superinfection: Prolonged use may result in fungal or bacterial superinfection, including C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) and pseudomembranous colitis; CDAD has been observed >2 months postantibiotic treatment.

Disease-related concerns:

• Renal impairment: Use with caution in patients with renal impairment.

Special populations:

• Pediatrics: Safety and efficacy of the nasal product have not been established in children <12 years of age.

Dosage form specific issues:

• Polyethylene glycol: Potentially toxic amounts of polyethylene glycol contained in some topical products may be absorbed percutaneously in patients with extensive burns or open wounds.

Other warnings/precautions:

• Appropriate use: For external use only; avoid contact with eyes. Not for treatment of pressure sores.

Adverse Reactions

Frequency not defined.

Central nervous system: Dizziness, headache

Dermatologic: Cellulitis, dermatitis, dry skin, erythema, hives, pruritus, rash, ulcerative stomatitis

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, taste perversion, xerostomia

Local: Burning, edema, pain, stinging, tenderness

Ocular: Blepharitis

Otic: Ear pain

Respiratory: Cough, pharyngitis, rhinitis, upper respiratory tract congestion

Miscellaneous: Secondary wound infection

Drug Interactions

Typhoid Vaccine: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Typhoid Vaccine. Only the live attenuated Ty21a strain is affected. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Mechanism of Action

Binds to bacterial isoleucyl transfer-RNA synthetase resulting in the inhibition of protein synthesis

Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Absorption: Topical: Penetrates outer layers of skin; systemic absorption minimal through intact skin

Metabolism: Skin: 3% to monic acid (inactive)

Excretion: Urine

Dosage

Intranasal: Children ?12 years and Adults: Eradication of nasal MRSA: Approximately one-half of the ointment from the single-use tube should be applied into one nostril and the other half into the other nostril twice daily for 5 days

Topical:

Children ?2 months and Adults: Impetigo: Ointment: Apply to affected area 3 times/day; re-evaluate after 3-5 days if no clinical response

Children ?3 months and Adults: Secondary skin infections: Cream: Apply to affected area 3 times/day for 10 days; re-evaluate after 3-5 days if no clinical response

Administration: Topical

Intranasal ointment: After application into nostrils, press sides of nose together and gently massage to spread ointment throughout the insides of the nostrils; discard tube after use

Topical cream, ointment: For external use only; area may be covered with gauze if desired

Patient Education

For external use only. Wash hands before and after application. Apply thin film over affected areas exactly as directed. Avoid getting in eyes. Report rash, persistent burning, stinging, swelling, itching, or pain. Contact prescriber if no improvement is seen in 3-5 days. Breast-feeding precaution: Consult prescriber if breast-feeding.

Geriatric Considerations

Not for treatment of pressure sores.

Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

Key adverse event(s) related to dental treatment: Xerostomia (normal salivary flow resumes upon discontinuation) and taste perversion.

Dental Health: Vasoconstrictor/Local Anesthetic Precautions

No information available to require special precautions

Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

None reported

Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

None reported

Nursing: Physical Assessment/Monitoring

Assess for effectiveness of therapy and symptoms of infection. Assess knowledge/teach patient appropriate application and use and adverse symptoms to report.

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product

Note: Strength expressed as base

Cream, topical, as calcium:

Bactroban®: 2% (15 g, 30 g) [contains benzyl alcohol]

Ointment, intranasal, as calcium:

Bactroban® Nasal: 2% (1 g) [single-use tube]

Ointment, topical: 2% (0.9 g, 22 g)

Bactroban®: 2% (22 g) [contains polyethylene glycol]

Centany™: 2% (15 g) [DSC]

Pricing: U.S. (www.drugstore.com)

Cream (Bactroban)

2% (15): $56.37

2% (30): $83.64

Ointment (Bactroban)

2% (22): $69.99

Ointment (Mupirocin)

2% (22): $34.99

References

Blumer JL, Lemon E, O'Horo J, et al, “Changing Therapy for Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Children: Have We Come Full Circle?” Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1987, 6(1):117-22.

Britton JW, Fajardo JE, and Krafte-Jacobs B, “Comparison of Mupirocin and Erythromycin in the Treatment of Impetigo,” J Pediatr, 1990, 117(5):827-9.

Goldfarb J, Crenshaw D, O'Horo J, et al, “Randomized Clinical Trial of Topical Mupirocin Versus Oral Erythromycin for Impetigo,” Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1988, 32(12):1780-3.

Perl TM, Cullen JJ, Wenzel RP, et al, “Intranasal Mupirocin to Prevent Postoperative Staphylococcus aureus Infections,” N Engl J Med, 2002, 346(24):1871-7.

International Brand Names

  • Bacidal (TH)
  • Bactifree (PH)
  • Bactocin (PH)
  • Bactoderm (ID)
  • Bactoxil (TH)
  • Bactroban (AE, AR, AT, AU, BB, BD, BE, BF, BG, BH, BJ, BM, BR, BS, BZ, CH, CI, CL, CN, CO, CR, CY, CZ, DK, DO, EG, ES, ET, FI, FR, GB, GH, GM, GN, GT, GY, HK, HN, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IQ, IR, IT, JM, JO, JP, KE, KP, KW, LB, LR, LU, LY, MA, ML, MR, MU, MW, MX, MY, NE, NG, NI, NL, OM, PA, PH, PK, PL, PT, PY, QA, RU, SA, SC, SD, SE, SG, SL, SN, SR, SV, SY, TH, TN, TT, TW, TZ, UG, UY, VE, YE, ZA, ZM, ZW)
  • Bagobiotic (EC)
  • Betrion (HR)
  • Foskina (PH)
  • Mupiderm (FR)
  • Mupiroban (KP)
  • Mupirox (PE, PL)
  • Muporin (TH)
  • Pibaksin (ID)
  • Sinpebac (MX)
  • Spectroderm (PE)
  • Supirocin (SG)
  • Turixin (DE)

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Last full review/revision September 2008

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