What It Is
Mupirocin belongs to a class of medicines called topical antibiotics. It is applied to the skin or inside the nose as an ointment or cream.
What It's Used For
Mupirocin is generally used to treat bacterial skin infections such as impetigo and infected cuts, scratches, or eczema. It is also used inside the nose to clear carriage of MRSA, a resistant type of Staphylococcus bacteria, especially before surgery or in hospital settings.
How It Works
Mupirocin blocks an enzyme that bacteria need to make proteins, which stops the bacteria from growing and multiplying. It acts in a different way from most other antibiotics, so it can work on some bacteria that resist them.
History and Regulatory Status
Mupirocin was first isolated from a soil bacterium called Pseudomonas fluorescens in 1971 and came into medical use in the 1980s. It is a prescription medicine in many countries, including India. It is usually used for a short course of about five to ten days, because prolonged or repeated use can lead to bacteria becoming resistant.