Bactroban
Bactroban (generic name: Mupirocin) is an antibiotic that is used topically (superficially) in the treatment of impetigo, a bacterial disease of the skin caused by Staphylococcus aureus and beta-hemolytic streptococci. Unlike most other antibiotics which act on either bacterial DNA or the cellular walls of bacteria, mupirocin blocks the activity of an enzyme called isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase within the bacteria. This enzyme is necessary in order for the bacteria to make proteins. Without the ability to make proteins, the bacteria die. Because of its unique mechanism of action there is little chance that bacteria will have become resistant to mupirocin because they have been exposed to other antibiotics. Mupirocin topical cream was approved by the FDA in December 1987. The intranasal form was approved October 1995.
There are no known drug interactions with Bactroban mupirocin.
Bactroban side effects
Side effects are uncommon and mild with mupirocin. The most frequent side effects are burning, stinging, pain, and itching at the area of application.
The intranasal use of Bactroban mupirocin can cause headache (1 of every 11 patients), runny nose (1 in 17), congestion (1 in 20), sore throat (1 in 22), changes in taste perception (1 in 30), nasal irritation (1 in 50) and cough (1 in 50).
