erythromycin topical vs mupirocin
Side-by-side comparison of erythromycin topical and mupirocin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Erygel
Bactroban
Erythromycin topical solution is a medicine that you put on your skin to treat acne. It contains an antibiotic to help clear up acne.
Mupirocin cream is a topical antibiotic. It is used to treat skin infections caused by certain bacteria.
This medicine treats acne vulgaris, a common skin condition. It helps reduce acne on your face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back. Use it as directed by your doctor to improve your skin.
Mupirocin cream treats skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. It is for use on skin injuries like cuts or scrapes that have become infected. The infected area should be no larger than 10 cm long or 100 cm squared.
Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria that cause acne. This helps to reduce inflammation and clear up your skin.
Mupirocin stops bacteria from growing. It does this by blocking the bacteria's ability to make proteins. This helps to clear up the infection.
- • Peeling skin
- • Dry skin
- • Itching
- • Redness
- • Oily skin
- • Headache
- • Rash
- • Nausea
No adverse event reports.
- Medicine not working 1,435
- Using medicine for unapproved purpose 920
- Feeling sick to your stomach 882
- Discomfort 877
- Using product for a condition it's not meant to treat 818
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
Rarely, severe allergic reactions can occur, including anaphylaxis, hives, swelling, and widespread rash. If you have diarrhea while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away. Long-term use may lead to new infections.
It is not known if this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine.
It is not known if mupirocin cream will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if mupirocin passes into breast milk, but it is not expected to be harmful.
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How to Read This erythromycin topical vs mupirocin Comparison
erythromycin topical is classified in the Topical Antibiotic drug class, while mupirocin sits within the Topical Antibiotic class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, erythromycin topical has 0 submissions while mupirocin has 4,932. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between erythromycin topical and mupirocin — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.