Mupirocin

Approved 13 May 2025TopicalOintment

The FDA lists this product in 6 strengths and forms.

Indications

Mupirocin Ointment USP, 2% is indicated for the topical treatment of impetigo due to susceptible isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) . Mupirocin ointment is an RNA synthetase inhibitor antibacterial indicated for the topical treatment of impetigo due to susceptible isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. ( 1 )

Contraindications

Mupirocin ointment is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to mupirocin or any of the excipients of mupirocin ointment.

Known hypersensitivity to mupirocin or any of the excipients of mupirocin ointment. ( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

Severe Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema, and generalized rash have been reported in patients treated with formulations of mupirocin, including Mupirocin ointment. ( 5.1 )
Eye Irritation: Avoid contact with eyes. ( 5.2 )
Local Irritation: Discontinue in the event of sensitization or severe local irritation. ( 5.3 )
Clostridium difficile -Associated Diarrhea (CDAD): If diarrhea occurs, evaluate patients for CDAD. ( 5.4 )
Potential for Microbial Overgrowth: Prolonged use may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible microorganisms, including fungi. ( 5.5 )
Risk Associated with Mucosal Use: Mupirocin ointment is not formulated for use on mucosal surfaces. A separate formulation, mupirocin nasal ointment, is available for intranasal use. ( 5.6 )
Risk of Polyethylene Glycol Absorption: 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. ( 5.7 )
Risk Associated with Use at Intravenous Sites: Mupirocin ointment should not be used with intravenous cannulae or at central intravenous sites because of the potential to promote fungal infections and antimicrobial resistance. ( 5.8 )

Indications

Warnings and precautions

Severe Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema, and generalized rash have been reported in patients treated with formulations of mupirocin, including Mupirocin ointment. ( 5.1 )
Eye Irritation: Avoid contact with eyes. ( 5.2 )
Local Irritation: Discontinue in the event of sensitization or severe local irritation. ( 5.3 )
Clostridium difficile -Associated Diarrhea (CDAD): If diarrhea occurs, evaluate patients for CDAD. ( 5.4 )
Potential for Microbial Overgrowth: Prolonged use may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible microorganisms, including fungi. ( 5.5 )
Risk Associated with Mucosal Use: Mupirocin ointment is not formulated for use on mucosal surfaces. A separate formulation, mupirocin nasal ointment, is available for intranasal use. ( 5.6 )
Risk of Polyethylene Glycol Absorption: 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. ( 5.7 )
Risk Associated with Use at Intravenous Sites: Mupirocin ointment should not be used with intravenous cannulae or at central intravenous sites because of the potential to promote fungal infections and antimicrobial resistance. ( 5.8 )

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1 Pregnancy

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary

There are insufficient human data to establish whether there is a drug-associated risk with mupirocin ointment in pregnant women. Systemic absorption of mupirocin through intact human skin is minimal following topical administration of mupirocin ointment [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. No developmental toxicity was observed in rats or rabbits treated with mupirocin subcutaneously during organogenesis at doses of 160 or 40 mg per kg per day, respectively (22 and 11 times the human topical dose based on calculations of dose divided by the entire body surface area).

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriages for the indicated population is unknown. The estimated background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2% to 4% and of miscarriage is 15% to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Data Animal Data: Developmental toxicity studies have been performed with mupirocin administered subcutaneously to rats and rabbits at doses up to 160 mg per kg per day during organogenesis.

This dose is 22 and 43 times, respectively, the human topical dose (approximately 60 mg mupirocin per day) based on calculations of dose divided by the entire body surface area. Maternal toxicity was observed (body weight loss/decreased body weight gain and reduced feeding) in both species with no evidence of developmental toxicity in rats. In rabbits, excessive maternal toxicity at the high dose precluded the evaluation of fetal outcomes.

There was no developmental toxicity in rabbits at 40 mg per kg per day, 11 times the human topical dose based on calculations of dose divided by the entire body surface area. Mupirocin administered subcutaneously to rats in a pre- and postnatal development study (dosed during late gestation through lactation) was associated with reduced offspring viability in the early postnatal period at a dose of 106.7 mg per kg, in the presence of injection site irritation and/or subcutaneous hemorrhaging.

This dose is 14 times the human topical dose based on calculations of dose divided by the entire body surface area. The no-observed adverse effect level in this study was 44.2 mg per kg per day, which is 6 times the human topical dose.

Mupirocin

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

Two medicines in one question?

Mupirocin

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

Two medicines in one question?

5.1Severe Allergic Reactions

5.2Eye Irritation

5.6Risk Associated with Mucosal Use

5.7Risk of Polyethylene Glycol Absorption

5.8Risk Associated with Use at Intravenous Sites

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary

Adverse reactions

6.1Clinical Trials Experience

6.2Postmarketing Experience

Composition

Strengths and forms

Official product information

At a glance