mupirocin
Brand names: Bactroban
Mupirocin cream is a topical antibiotic. It is used to treat skin infections caused by certain bacteria.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.74/unit
Generic Available
Yes (10 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Mupirocin cream treats skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.
Common side effects
Headache, Rash, Nausea
Key warnings
Rarely, severe allergic reactions can occur, including anaphylaxis, hives, swelling, and widespread rash.
How It Works
Mupirocin stops bacteria from growing. It does this by blocking the bacteria's ability to make proteins. This helps to clear up the infection.
How to Take It
This cream is for external use only. Apply a small amount to the infected area using a cotton swab or gauze pad. Do this 3 times a day for 10 days. You can cover the treated area with gauze if you want. If your skin doesn't improve within 3 to 5 days, contact your doctor.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then, continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 68° to 77°F. Do not freeze.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 8,385 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 12,758 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
12,758
Death-Related Reports
895
Hospitalization Reports
3,409
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 1,434 |
| 2 | OFF LABEL USE | 920 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 882 |
| 4 | PAIN | 877 |
| 5 | PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION | 818 |
| 6 | FATIGUE | 765 |
| 7 | MACULAR DEGENERATION | 750 |
| 8 | HEADACHE | 712 |
| 9 | DIARRHOEA | 648 |
| 10 | CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE | 578 |
| 11 | RASH | 562 |
| 12 | WEIGHT DECREASED | 549 |
| 13 | PYREXIA | 526 |
| 14 | PRURITUS | 521 |
| 15 | MALAISE | 500 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Common Questions
Can I use this cream inside my nose?
What should I do if the cream gets in my eyes?
Can I use other creams or lotions at the same time?
What if my skin gets irritated?
How long should I use this cream?
What if I accidentally swallow some of the cream?
Can I use this cream on a large area of skin?
What if I don't see any improvement after a few days?
Can I buy this cream over the counter?
What are the ingredients in this cream?
What are the common side effects of mupirocin?
What drug class is mupirocin?
Is mupirocin safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Topical Antibiotic
Other drugs grouped near mupirocin — same-class peers and common alternatives.
adapalene
Differin
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apremilast
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azelaic acid
Finacea, Azelex
Azelaic acid gel is a topical medicine that helps treat rosacea.
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benzoyl peroxide
Benzac, PanOxyl
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medicine that fights germs on your skin.
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betamethasone
Diprosone, Luxiq
Betamethasone dipropionate cream is a strong steroid medicine used on the skin.
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Medication Guides
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What the FDA Data Shows for mupirocin
The FDA label for mupirocin (sold under brand names such as Bactroban) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Topical Antibiotic class. Mupirocin cream treats skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Headache, Rash, Nausea.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 8,385 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.74.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: March 18, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages