Mupirocin Ointment Instructions for Bacterial Skin Infections
Mupirocin ointment should be applied to the affected area three times daily, and the area may be covered with a gauze dressing if desired. 1
Application Instructions
- Apply a small amount of mupirocin ointment directly to the affected skin area
- Use three times daily (approximately every 8 hours)
- Treatment area may be covered with gauze if needed
- Continue treatment until the infection has resolved, typically 5-10 days
- Patients should be re-evaluated if no clinical improvement is seen within 3-5 days 1
Indications for Use
Mupirocin 2% ointment is particularly effective for:
- Impetigo (primary skin infection) 2, 3
- Limited number of localized skin lesions 2
- Secondarily infected skin lesions (such as eczema, ulcers, or lacerations) 2, 3
- Infected wounds 4
Efficacy and Advantages
Mupirocin has excellent activity against:
- Staphylococci (including MRSA)
- Most streptococci 5
The topical application offers several benefits:
- Avoids systemic side effects associated with oral antibiotics
- High local concentration at infection site
- Less expensive than many oral antibiotics
- Easier to administer than oral medications 3
Special Applications
For Nasal Decolonization (MRSA carriers):
- Apply to the inside of both nostrils twice daily for 5-7 days 2
- This regimen can reduce recurrent staphylococcal infections by approximately 50% 2
For Recurrent Furunculosis:
- Can be used as part of a decolonization protocol
- Apply to the anterior nares twice daily for the first 5 days of each month 2
Monitoring and Follow-up
- If no improvement is seen within 3-5 days, the patient should be re-evaluated 1
- Complete eradication of pathogens typically occurs with proper application 4
- Treatment duration is typically 5-10 days, depending on the type and severity of infection 2
Precautions
- Be aware that high-level resistance to mupirocin has been associated with treatment failure in decolonization efforts 2
- For more extensive infections, systemic antibiotics may be required in addition to or instead of topical therapy
- Mupirocin should not be used as monotherapy for cellulitis or more extensive skin infections 2
Mupirocin's rapid systemic metabolism means it will only be effective when used topically, which combined with its unique chemical structure, makes cross-resistance less likely to occur than with other topical antibacterial agents 5.