Mupirocin is a topical antibiotic (nasal ointment or cream) used mainly to eliminate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from the nasal cavity and to treat superficial skin infections. Systemic absorption is minimal, which makes it safe for local use, but it should be reserved for the indicated cases to avoid resistance.
Also known as: Mupirocina, Bactroban
No documented drug–drug interactions for this medicine.
Mupirocin is used topically (ointment/cream) with minimal systemic absorption; food does not affect its use.
May be applied regardless of meals.
DailyMed/FDA (NIH/NLM) — approved Mupirocin Ointment label: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=06a4ee22-d8f8-4a8a-8666-82b14f2d8476
The FDA mupirocin ointment label documents in section 5.7 (Risk of Polyethylene Glycol Absorption) that the product should not be used where absorption of large quantities of polyethylene glycol (PEG) is possible, especially if there is evidence of moderate or severe renal impairment: "Mupirocin ointment should not be used where absorption of large quantities of polyethylene glycol is possible, especially if there is evidence of moderate or severe renal impairment". The ointment base contains PEG, which is renally eliminated; in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment and application over large areas or under conditions that increase absorption, PEG may accumulate and cause systemic toxicity (hyperosmolality, metabolic acidosis and acute renal failure are described complications of PEG absorption).
Avoid mupirocin ointment (PEG-containing base) in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment, especially over large skin areas or burns; if use is essential, choose PEG-free formulations and monitor renal function and signs of systemic toxicity.
DailyMed/FDA (NIH/NLM) — approved Mupirocin ointment label (KESIN PHARMA), section 5.7 Risk of Polyethylene Glycol Absorption: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b8e115ce-c8ff-4d08-b865-71dc4d0e51a1
Prontuário: "Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding". FDA label (ointment): insufficient human data; no developmental toxicity observed in rats (160 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (40 mg/kg/day) — minimal systemic absorption reduces the risk of fetal exposure.
Minimal systemic absorption; the risk of fetal exposure is low, but the Prontuário recommends avoiding during pregnancy.
Present in milk in very small amounts unlikely to be harmful.
Not applicable (occasional topical use; no need for specific contraception).
Prontuário Terapêutico do INFARMED (11th ed., 2012) — Mupirocin, 14.1.5 ; DailyMed/FDA — approved Mupirocin ointment label, section 8 Use in Specific Populations: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b8e115ce-c8ff-4d08-b865-71dc4d0e51a1 ; Prontuário Terapêutico do INFARMED (11th ed., 2012) — Annex 1, Drugs and Pregnancy: The manufacturer recommends avoiding unless the potential benefit outweighs the risk. ; Prontuário Terapêutico do INFARMED (11th ed., 2012) — Annex 2, Drugs and Breastfeeding: Present in milk in very small amounts unlikely to be harmful.
Clinical and educational support tool. The information does not replace a medical prescription or the opinion of a qualified healthcare professional.
Topical antibiotic with broad activity against Gram-positive organisms (including S. aureus and S. pyogenes) and some Gram-negative organisms. Occlusive application to intact skin for 24 hours produced no measurable systemic absorption (less than 1.1 ng/ml whole blood — FDA label), confirming the drug's local profile.
Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by reversible, specific binding to isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS), blocking the incorporation of isoleucine into bacterial tRNA — a mechanism with no structural homologue in mammals, which explains its selectivity.
Minimal systemic absorption through nasal mucosa and intact skin: occlusive application of radiolabelled ointment for 24 h showed no measurable absorption (< 1.1 ng/ml) — "no measurable systemic absorption" (FDA label). Local safety is the dominant profile.
Metabolism is essentially local at the application site; the absorbed fraction is rapidly metabolised to the inactive mupirocic acid.
Elimination half-life after intravenous administration: 20 to 40 minutes for mupirocin and 30 to 80 minutes for the metabolite (experimental data from the FDA label).
