GENERIC NAME: mupirocin
BRAND NAME: Bactroban
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Mupirocin is an antibiotic
that is
used topically (superficially) in the treatment of impetigo, a
bacterial
disease of the skin caused by Staphylococcus aureus and
beta-hemolytic
streptococci. Unlike most other antibiotics which act on either
bacterial
DNA or the cellular walls of bacteria, mupirocin blocks the
activity of an
enzyme called isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase within the bacteria.
This enzyme
is necessary in order for the bacteria to make proteins.
Without the
ability to make proteins, the bacteria die. Because of its
unique
mechanism of action there is little chance that bacteria will
have become
resistant to mupirocin because they have been exposed to other
antibiotics. Mupirocin topical cream was approved by the FDA in
December
1987. The intranasal form was approved October 1995.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: no
PREPARATIONS: Ointment: 15 g tubes as 2% (20 mg/g).
Nasal
ointment: 1 g tubes as 2% (20 mg/g).
STORAGE: The tablets should be kept at room
temperature, 15-30°C
(59-86°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Mupirocin is used for the treatment of
impetigo
due to Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, for the
treatment
of infected eczema, or folliculitis (infection of the hair
follicles).
Mupirocin is not recommended for use on the skin in serious
burns, because
more of the vehicle (the inactive ingredient) used for the
ointment,
polyethylene glycol, may be absorbed and can cause kidney
damage. A nasal
ointment of mupirocin also is used for the elimination of nasal
Staphylococcus aureus that have become resistant to other
antibiotics.
DOSING: For the treatment of impetigo, a small amount
of the
ointment is applied to the affected area, usually three times
daily. The
area may be covered with a sterile gauze dressing. If there is
no
improvement in 3-5 days, the physician should be contacted.
A specialized use of mupirocin is the intranasal application
for
patients who harbor intranasal Staphylococcus aureus that are
resistant to
many other antibiotics. Treatment requires the application of
about half
of the ointment from a single-use tube of nasal ointment into
one nostril
and the other half into the other nostril. This treatment is
repeated
twice daily for 5 days. Children may need less ointment.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no known drug interactions
with
mupirocin.
PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of mupirocin in
pregnant women. However, studies in animals suggest no
important effects
on the fetus. Mupirocin, therefore, can be used in pregnancy if
the
physician feels that it is necessary.
NURSING MOTHERS: There is no
information on the safety of mupirocin in nursing infants. It is unknown if any
of the small amount of mupirocin that is absorbed from the skin into the blood
of the mother concentrates in breast milk. It is advisable, therefore, not to
nurse
while using mupirocin.
SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects are uncommon and mild with
mupirocin.
The most frequent side effects are burning, stinging, pain, and
itching at
the area of application.
The intranasal use of mupirocin can cause headache (1 of every
11
patients), runny nose (1 in 17), congestion (1 in 20), sore
throat (1 in
22), changes in taste perception (1 in 30), nasal irritation (1
in 50) and
cough (1 in 50).
Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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