Bactroban (Mupirocin)

Bactroban 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, bactroban 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 bactroban because they have been exposed to other antibiotics.

Bactroban 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). Bactroban 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 bactroban also is used for the elimination of nasal Staphylococcus aureus that have become resistant to other antibiotics.