Bactroban 2% Cream

What is Bactroban Cream/Ointment?

Bactroban is a cream or Bactroban Ointment is used to treat various conditions, including:

• impetigo
• folliculitis
• boils
• other infections on your skin, such as small cuts, lacerations, wounds or scraped skin.

It works by killing bacteria causing infections on your skin called ‘Staphylococcus aureus’ and ‘Streptococcus pyogens’. Treatment should not exceed 10 days. 

Bactrobans' main ingredient is mupirocin. Mupirocin is an antibiotic that prevents bacteria from growing on your skin.

Bactroban is a topical treatment that's applied externally. 

What is Impetigo?

Impetigo usually occurs on the face and hands and is very contagious. It causes blistered and crusty patches of skin that are usually itchy and painful.

What are Boils?

Boils are hard, painful lumps that occur on the skin. They're usually filled with pus and can feel warm to the touch and red in colour. They can also be itchy and occur anywhere on the body. 

What is Folliculitis?

Much like boils, these can be itchy and painful and full of pus but are an infection of the hair follicle.

Warnings and Precautions:

• Bactroban is to be used for the full amount of time prescribed by your GP or as recommended in the package, even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely healed.
• Avoid your eyes, nose, mouth, and lips when applying Bactroban. If medication gets in any of these areas, wash with water.
• Watch for signs of improvement in 3 to 5 days. If your condition gets worse or does not improve, see your GP.
• Bactroban nasal ointment is available for nasal use.
• You should not use Bactroban if you are allergic to mupirocin.
• Do not use Bactroban on a child without medical advice. The cream should not be used on a child younger than 3 months old. 

Tell your doctor if you:

• Have or have had kidney disease.
• Are you pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• Are breast-feeding a baby. If you apply this medicine to your breast or nipple, wash the areas thoroughly before nursing your baby.

Ingredients:

The main active ingredient is: mupirocin calcium in an oil- and water-based emulsion.

The inactive ingredients are: benzyl alcohol, cetomacrogol 1000, cetyl alcohol, mineral oil, phenoxyethanol, purified water, stearyl alcohol, and xanthan gum.

You usually apply Bactroban on your skin up to 3 times a day.

• Wash and dry your hands.
• Place a small amount of Bactroban on a clean cotton wool pad or gauze swab.
• Apply the cream to the infected area of your skin.
• You can cover the treated area with a plaster or other suitable dressing, unless your doctor has told you to leave it uncovered.

Replace the cap on the tube and wash your hands

Use Bactroban for as long as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, ask your GP, pharmacist or nurse. The bacteria are normally cleared from your skin within 10 days of starting treatment. Do not use for more than 10 days. Throw away any cream that is left over. If your skin condition does not improve within 3 to 5 days, see your doctor.

Common Bactroban side effects may include:

• burning, stinging;
• itching; or
• pain.

Call your GP straight away if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• severe itching, rash, or other irritation of treated skin;
• unusual skin blistering or peeling; or
• any signs of a new skin infection.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Bactroban.

These include:

• hives;
• dizziness,
• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• wheezing,
• difficult breathing;
• swelling of your face,
• lips,
• tongue,
• or throat.

Find out more on the patient information leaflet

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the above description and patient information leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for “MHRA yellowcard” in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.