Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- RNA Synthetase Inhibitor Antibacterial [EPC], RNA Synthetase Inhibitors [MoA]
- How it is given
- topical
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 106346
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Mupirocin ointment USP, 2% is indicated for the topical treatment of impetigo due to: S. aureus and S. pyogenes.
About this medicine
DESCRIPTION Each gram of mupirocin ointment USP, 2% contains 20 mg mupirocin USP in a bland water miscible ointment base (polyethylene glycol ointment, N.F.) consisting of polyethylene glycol 400 and polyethylene glycol 3350. Mupirocin is a naturally occurring antibiotic. The chemical name is (E)-( 2 S, 3 R, 4 R, 5 S)- 5 -[( 2 S, 3 S, 4 S, 5 S) -2,3-Epoxy-5-hydroxy-4-methylhexyl]tetrahydro-3,4-dihydroxy-β-methyl-2 H -pyran-2-crotonic acid, ester with 9-hydroxynonanoic acid. The molecular formula of mupirocin is C 26 H 44 O 9 , and the molecular weight is 500.63. The chemical structure is: Structure of Mupirocin
Who should not take it
CONTRAINDICATIONS This drug is contraindicated in individuals with a history of sensitivity reactions to any of its components.
Warnings
WARNINGS Mupirocin ointment is not for ophthalmic use.
Reported side effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS The following local adverse reactions have been reported in connection with the use of mupirocin ointment : Burning, stinging, or pain in 1.5% of patients; itching in 1% of patients; rash, nausea, erythema, dry skin, tenderness, swelling, contact dermatitis, and increased exudate in less than 1% of patients. Systemic reactions to mupirocin ointment have occurred rarely.
Interactions with other medicines
Drug Interactions The effect of the concurrent application of mupirocin ointment and other drug products has not been studied.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 1 November 2023. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.