Mupirocin (mupirocin)
Available Online
Topical
Daily
Available by Prescription
As Low as $
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- 74% of patients see improvement
- Works as well as oral antibiotics
- Easy to apply directly on skin
- Mild effects like diarrhea and nausea
- Bacteria may return after stopping treatment
How well does Mupirocin work?
Mupirocin is above average for atopic dermatitis "Other Non-Steroid Prescription Medication" treatments.
What is the evidence behind Mupirocin?
Mupirocin combined with steroid creams (like hydrocortisone or fluticasone) is effective and safe for treating atopic dermatitis, especially when there might be bacterial infection present. In one study, 74% of patients improved with this combination treatment.
What does the research say?
| Study Summary | Study Type | Studied Population | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
|
📄
Using hydrocortisone cream combined with mupirocin was more effective (74% success) than hydrocortisone alone (65% success) or moisturizer (36% success) in treating mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in infants. The combination treatment was safe and helped address potential bacterial infection.
|
Randomized Controlled Trial |
Total Patients: 83
|
Combined treatment with hydrocortisone and mupirocin was most effective, followed by hydrocortisone alone, both significantly better than emollient |
|
📄
A combination ointment containing fluticasone propionate and mupirocin was effective in treating atopic dermatitis with suspected bacterial infection. After 2 weeks of treatment, the majority of patients (67.2%) had only mild disease, and patient comfort improved from 33.65% to 78.60%.
|
Clinical Trial |
Total Patients: 122
Severity: mild to severe Age: not available
|
Significant improvement in disease severity with majority of patients achieving mild disease status |
Study Summary
Using hydrocortisone cream combined with mupirocin was more effective (74% success) than hydrocortisone alone (65% success) or moisturizer (36% success) in treating mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in infants. The combination treatment was safe and helped address potential bacterial infection.
Hydrocortisone acetate alone or combined with mupirocin for atopic dermatitis in infants under two years of age - a randomized double blind pilot trialStudy Type
Randomized Controlled Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 83
Results
Combined treatment with hydrocortisone and mupirocin was most effective, followed by hydrocortisone alone, both significantly better than emollient
Study Summary
A combination ointment containing fluticasone propionate and mupirocin was effective in treating atopic dermatitis with suspected bacterial infection. After 2 weeks of treatment, the majority of patients (67.2%) had only mild disease, and patient comfort improved from 33.65% to 78.60%.
Efficacy and safety of combination ointment "fluticasone propionate 0.005% plus mupirocin 2.0%" for the treatment of atopic dermatitis with clinical suspicion of secondary bacterial infection: an open label uncontrolled studyStudy Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 122
Severity: mild to severe
Age: not available
Results
Significant improvement in disease severity with majority of patients achieving mild disease status
What are other patients saying?
Mupirocin cream is as effective as oral antibiotics (like cephalexin) for treating infected eczema, with fewer side effects. It's also preferred by patients because it's applied directly to the skin rather than taken as pills.
What does the research say?
| Study Summary | Study Type | Studied Population | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
|
📄
Mupirocin cream was found to be as effective as oral cephalexin (an antibiotic) for treating infected eczema. The cream worked better at killing bacteria and was preferred by patients over taking oral medication.
|
Clinical Trial |
Total Patients: 159
Severity: secondarily infected eczema Age: not available
|
Mupirocin cream was similarly effective to oral cephalexin |
Study Summary
Mupirocin cream was found to be as effective as oral cephalexin (an antibiotic) for treating infected eczema. The cream worked better at killing bacteria and was preferred by patients over taking oral medication.
A comparison of the efficacy and safety of mupirocin cream and cephalexin in the treatment of secondarily infected eczemaStudy Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 159
Severity: secondarily infected eczema
Age: not available
Results
Mupirocin cream was similarly effective to oral cephalexin
What are other patients saying?
While mupirocin can effectively reduce bacteria (particularly Staphylococcus aureus) on the skin during treatment, bacteria levels may return to normal after stopping treatment. However, this doesn't necessarily mean symptoms will get worse.
What does the research say?
| Study Summary | Study Type | Studied Population | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
|
📄
Mupirocin, a topical antibiotic, significantly reduced Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the skin of atopic dermatitis patients and improved their symptoms. Although bacteria returned after stopping treatment, patients' symptoms didn't get worse during the study period.
|
Clinical Trial |
Total Patients: 49
Severity: not available Age: not available
|
Mupirocin significantly reduced bacterial counts |
Study Summary
Mupirocin, a topical antibiotic, significantly reduced Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the skin of atopic dermatitis patients and improved their symptoms. Although bacteria returned after stopping treatment, patients' symptoms didn't get worse during the study period.
Staphylococcal colonization in atopic dermatitis and the effect of topical mupirocin therapyStudy Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 49
Severity: not available
Age: not available
Results
Mupirocin significantly reduced bacterial counts
What are other patients saying?
Short-term use of mupirocin appears to be safe, with minimal side effects. The most common side effects reported were mild and included diarrhea and nausea.
What does the research say?
| Study Summary | Study Type | Studied Population | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
|
📄
Mupirocin cream was found to be as effective as oral cephalexin (an antibiotic) for treating infected eczema. The cream worked better at killing bacteria and was preferred by patients over taking oral medication.
|
Clinical Trial |
Total Patients: 159
Severity: secondarily infected eczema Age: not available
|
Mupirocin cream was similarly effective to oral cephalexin |
|
📄
Mupirocin, a topical antibiotic, significantly reduced Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the skin of atopic dermatitis patients and improved their symptoms. Although bacteria returned after stopping treatment, patients' symptoms didn't get worse during the study period.
|
Clinical Trial |
Total Patients: 49
Severity: not available Age: not available
|
Mupirocin significantly reduced bacterial counts |
Study Summary
Mupirocin cream was found to be as effective as oral cephalexin (an antibiotic) for treating infected eczema. The cream worked better at killing bacteria and was preferred by patients over taking oral medication.
A comparison of the efficacy and safety of mupirocin cream and cephalexin in the treatment of secondarily infected eczemaStudy Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 159
Severity: secondarily infected eczema
Age: not available
Results
Mupirocin cream was similarly effective to oral cephalexin
Study Summary
Mupirocin, a topical antibiotic, significantly reduced Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the skin of atopic dermatitis patients and improved their symptoms. Although bacteria returned after stopping treatment, patients' symptoms didn't get worse during the study period.
Staphylococcal colonization in atopic dermatitis and the effect of topical mupirocin therapyStudy Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 49
Severity: not available
Age: not available
Results
Mupirocin significantly reduced bacterial counts
What are other patients saying?
Is Mupirocin Right For Me?
What is Mupirocin?
Mupirocin is an antibiotic ointment that is applied to the skin to treat certain bacterial skin infections.
What are the requirements for taking Mupirocin?
Mupirocin might be right for you if:
-
You have impetigo (a bacterial skin infection)
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Your infection is caused by specific bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes)
-
You need a topical (on the skin) treatment
How does Mupirocin work?
Mupirocin works by stopping bacteria from making proteins they need to survive. It does this by blocking an enzyme called RNA synthetase in the bacteria.
Is it safe for children?
Mupirocin is safe and effective for children from 2 months to 16 years of age.
Is it safe for elderly patients?
Unknown - specific information about use in elderly patients is not provided in the label.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
While there isn't enough human data to be completely certain, mupirocin is likely safe during pregnancy because very little of the medicine is absorbed through the skin. Animal studies haven't shown any concerning effects on developing babies.
Is it safe during breastfeeding?
Mupirocin is considered safe during breastfeeding. Very little of the medicine is absorbed through the skin, so the baby is unlikely to be exposed. If applying to the breast area, wash thoroughly before breastfeeding.