Bactroban

(mupirocin)

Skip to: drug prices sectionSkip to: what to expect sectionSkip to: side effects sectionSkip to: risks and warnings sectionSkip to: common concerns from users and pharmacists
ADVERTISEMENT

Treats certain skin infections and kills bacteria in the nose.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Compared to over-the-counter first aid topical antibiotics, Bactroban (mupirocin) can kill a larger variety of bacteria and is a good alternative if you're allergic to certain ingredients in OTC products.

Lowest price near you
  • Lowest price with coupon
    $312.40
Find instant savings
Quick facts about Bactroban
  • Drug class: Dermatologic
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (mupirocin)

Upsides

  • Can kill more types of bacteria than over-the-counter first aid topical antibiotics.
  • Works well at preventing resistant bacteria (bacteria that is hard to treat) in your nose from spreading to other areas.
  • Is generally a tolerable medicine. Few people experience side effects.
Get the newsletter!

Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine

Get our free fact sheet

What to expect from Bactroban, on one page

Download Fact Sheet
Tried Bactroban? Write a review!

Downsides

  • May be more expensive than some over-the-counter first-aid topical antibiotics.
  • You have to remember to apply this 3 times a day for skin infections, and 2 times a day for bacteria in the nose.
Get the newsletter!

Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine

Get our free fact sheet

What to expect from Bactroban, on one page

Download Fact Sheet
How it works

Bactroban (mupirocin) is an antibiotic that prevents infection by killing bacteria.

Quick facts about Bactroban
  • Drug class: Dermatologic
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (mupirocin)

Used for

  • Impetigo
  • Secondary skin infections
  • MRSA colonization in the nostrils

Dosage forms

  • Cream
  • Ointment
Tried Bactroban? Write a review!

Prices and coupons

Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.
Prices and coupons for 1 (30g-of-2%25-ointment) kit of mupirocin near
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
See more prices and coupons in your area

What to expect when you take Bactroban (mupirocin) for Bacteria in the nose

Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Headache
  • Stuffy nose
  • Lung or breathing problems
  • Sore throat
  • Taste changes
  • Burning/Stinging
Skip side effects section. Skip to risks and warnings section.

Side effect rates for Bactroban (mupirocin)

From 82 clinical trials of Bactroban when taken for secondarily infected eczema
  • Nausea
    5%5%
  • Headache
    4%4%
  • Burning
    4%4%
  • Itching
    2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Bactroban.

Bactroban (mupirocin)
Placebo

People taking Bactroban felt side effect more

People taking Bactroban felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Bactroban (mupirocin)

Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.

  • Rarely, Bactroban (mupirocin) can cause a serious allergic reaction. Stop use and speak to your doctor right away if you experience rashes or hives, fever, swelling, or trouble breathing.