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Merck Manual
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Professional /
Infectious Diseases /
Bacteria and Antibacterial Drugs /
... /
Mupirocin /

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Bacteria and Antibacterial Drugs
Overview of Bacteria
Overview of Antibacterial Drugs
Aminoglycosides
Beta-Lactams
Carbapenems
Cephalosporins
Chloramphenicol
Clindamycin
Daptomycin
Fluoroquinolones
Fosfomycin
Lefamulin
Lincosamides, Oxazolidinones, and Streptogramins
Linezolid and Tedizolid
Lipoglycopeptides
Macrolides
Metronidazole and Tinidazole
Monobactams
Mupirocin
Nitrofurantoin
Quinupristin and Dalfopristin
Penicillins
Polypeptide Antibiotics: Bacitracin, Colistin, Polymyxin B
Rifamycins
Spectinomycin
Sulfonamides
Tetracyclines
Tigecycline
Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole
Vancomycin

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Test your knowledge

Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is infection with Toxoplasma gondii. The only known hosts of this organism are domestic cats and their relatives. Infection with T. gondii in humans can occur in various ways. Which of the following is the most common mode of infection in humans? 
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More Content

Mupirocin

By

Brian J. Werth

, PharmD, University of Washington School of Pharmacy

Last full review/revision May 2020| Content last modified May 2020
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Mupirocin inhibits bacterial RNA and protein synthesis. It is available only as a 2% topical preparation, which is bactericidal against staphylococci and beta-hemolytic streptococci. Systemic absorption of topical mupirocin is negligible.

Mupirocin is used for

  • Impetigo

  • Minor superficial secondarily infected skin lesions

  • Eradication of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage, although relapse rates may be high

Chronic therapy leads to mupirocin-resistant staphylococci.

Mupirocin is nontoxic but, when applied to denuded skin or mucous membranes, may cause itching and burning.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Mupirocin
 BACTROBAN
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© 2020 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA)
Monobactams
Nitrofurantoin
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