What Is Mupirocin? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Mupirocin is a prescription topical antibiotic used to treat bacterial skin infections. You may know it by its former brand names Bactroban or Centany — both of which have been discontinued — but it remains widely available as a generic. Here's everything you need to know about what mupirocin is, what it treats, how to use it, and what to expect.

What Is Mupirocin?

Mupirocin is a naturally occurring antibiotic, originally isolated in 1971 from the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens. It belongs to its own antibiotic class — RNA synthetase inhibitors — and works through a mechanism unlike any other antibiotic used clinically. This unique mechanism means that resistance to mupirocin does not automatically confer resistance to other antibiotics.

Mupirocin is listed on the World Health Organization's (WHO) List of Essential Medicines and was first approved by the FDA in 1987. It is available as:

2% ointment — in 15g and 22g tubes; most commonly prescribed formulation

2% cream — in 15g and 30g tubes; used for secondary skin infections

What Does Mupirocin Treat?

Mupirocin has the following FDA-approved indications:

Impetigo — the 2% ointment is first-line treatment for impetigo caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, in adults and children 2 months and older. Impetigo is a common contagious bacterial skin infection that typically presents as honey-colored, crusting sores, often on the face, nose, or around the mouth of young children.

Secondary skin infections — the 2% cream is FDA-approved for secondary infections of traumatic skin lesions (cuts, scrapes, or wounds that have become infected) caused by S. aureus or S. pyogenes, in adults and children 3 months and older.

Common off-label uses include:

Nasal MRSA decolonization (previously a separate FDA-approved nasal formulation; now done off-label with topical ointment)

Infected eczema patches (secondary bacterial infection of eczema)

Folliculitis (superficial hair follicle infections)

How Do You Use Mupirocin?

Application steps:

Wash your hands before and after applying mupirocin.

Apply a small amount (a pea-sized amount is usually sufficient for a small infection area) using a clean fingertip, cotton swab, or gauze pad.

Apply to the affected area 3 times per day (every 8 hours approximately).

You may cover the treated area with a sterile gauze bandage if desired.

Continue for the full prescribed course (typically 7–10 days) even if symptoms improve early.

Do NOT use for more than 10 days.

What Bacteria Does Mupirocin Kill?

Mupirocin is most active against gram-positive bacteria, particularly:

Staphylococcus aureus — including many MRSA strains (depending on susceptibility testing)

Streptococcus pyogenes — Group A Streptococcus, a common cause of impetigo and skin infections

Staphylococcus epidermidis — activity against most isolates

Mupirocin does NOT work against anaerobic bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, or most gram-negative bacteria. It's a targeted antibiotic for specific skin pathogens, not a broad-spectrum treatment.

Is Mupirocin the Same as Bactroban?

Mupirocin IS Bactroban — just the generic version. Bactroban was the original brand name manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. It was discontinued for business reasons (not safety), and generic mupirocin from multiple manufacturers now fills the same role. The active ingredient, concentration, and effectiveness are identical.

How Long Until Mupirocin Works?

Most patients with impetigo begin to see improvement within 3–5 days of starting mupirocin. The crusting may look worse before it looks better as the treatment draws out the infection. If there is no improvement by day 3–5, contact your prescriber — the bacteria may be resistant or the diagnosis may need to be reconsidered.

To learn more about how mupirocin works at the molecular level, see our article on mupirocin's mechanism of action. And if you need help finding mupirocin in stock near you, medfinder can help.