Can Mupirocin Ointment Be Used on Open Wounds?
Yes, mupirocin ointment can be used on open wounds, particularly for localized, superficial infections and secondarily infected wounds, but with important caveats regarding wound type and polyethylene glycol absorption risks.
Primary Indications for Open Wounds
- Mupirocin is specifically indicated for localized and nonbullous impetigo, which often presents as open, weeping lesions 1
- For children with minor skin infections and secondarily infected skin lesions (such as eczema, ulcers, or lacerations), mupirocin 2% topical ointment is recommended 1
- Secondarily infected wounds including small lacerations, abrasions, and sutured wounds can be effectively treated with mupirocin cream applied 3 times daily, with clinical success rates of 95% 2
Critical Safety Considerations
The most important limitation is that mupirocin ointment should NOT be used in conditions where absorption of large quantities of polyethylene glycol is possible, especially with moderate or severe renal impairment 3. This is because:
- Polyethylene glycol (the ointment base) can be absorbed from open wounds and damaged skin and is excreted by the kidneys 3
- In patients with renal impairment, this absorption could lead to toxicity 3
Appropriate Wound Types
Mupirocin works well for:
- Superficial primary skin infections with excellent efficacy demonstrated in clinical trials 4
- Infected wounds with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes contamination, showing superior antibacterial activity compared to other topical agents 5
- Small lacerations, abrasions, and sutured wounds that become secondarily infected 2
When NOT to Use Mupirocin on Open Wounds
- Large open wounds where significant polyethylene glycol absorption could occur, particularly in renally impaired patients 3
- Deep tissue infections or severe complicated skin and soft tissue infections requiring systemic antibiotics 1
- Mucosal surfaces, as mupirocin ointment is not formulated for this use 3
- Major traumatic wounds (such as open fractures or contaminated crush injuries) that require systemic antibiotic therapy as the primary treatment 1, 6
Clinical Application Guidelines
- Apply topically 3 times daily for optimal efficacy 2, 7
- Treatment duration typically 5-10 days, with impetigo showing improvement within 3-5 days 3, 7
- Monitor for treatment failure: if impetigo has not improved in 3 to 5 days, contact healthcare provider 3
- Watch for resistance: both low-level and high-level mupirocin resistance has been identified in S. aureus, with high-level resistance associated with decolonization failure 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not use as monotherapy for moderate-to-severe infections requiring systemic antibiotics 1
- Avoid prolonged use as this may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi 3
- Do not substitute for systemic therapy in contaminated traumatic wounds (such as wood chipper injuries or open fractures) where broad-spectrum systemic antibiotics are indicated 1, 6
- Discontinue if irritation, severe itching, or rash occurs 3
Efficacy Data
- Clinical cure or marked improvement in over 80% of patients with superficial skin infections 4
- Bacterial eradication rates exceeding 90% for susceptible pathogens 4
- Equivalent efficacy to oral cephalexin for secondarily infected wounds (95% success rate), with fewer gastrointestinal side effects 2
- Superior to nitrofurazone in preventing bacterial colonization and infection in experimental crush wounds 5