Comprehensive medication guide to Bactroban including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay for generic mupirocin on most commercial plans (Tier 1 formulary placement); brand Bactroban may be Tier 2–3 with higher copays. Generic mupirocin is covered on most Medicaid and Medicare Part D plans at minimal cost.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$15–$40 retail for generic mupirocin 2% ointment (22g tube); as low as $8–$20 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. Brand Bactroban may cost $50–$90+ without insurance or coupons.
Medfinder Findability Score
88/100
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Bactroban is the brand name for mupirocin, a topical antibiotic first approved by the FDA in 1997. It is one of the most commonly prescribed topical antibiotics in the United States, used primarily to treat impetigo — a highly contagious bacterial skin infection most common in children — and secondarily infected traumatic skin lesions.
Bactroban is available in three formulations: a 2% ointment (for impetigo), a 2% cream (for infected skin wounds), and a 2% nasal ointment (for MRSA nasal decolonization). Generic versions of all three are widely available as mupirocin. The brand was originally manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Bactroban is not a controlled substance and requires a prescription.
Mupirocin works through a unique mechanism — inhibiting bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase — that is distinct from all other antibiotic classes, giving it activity against many drug-resistant organisms including MRSA. It remains a first-line treatment recommendation in U.S. clinical guidelines for impetigo as of 2026.
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Bactroban (mupirocin) works by blocking a bacterial enzyme called isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase. This enzyme is essential for bacterial protein synthesis — it attaches the amino acid isoleucine to transfer RNA (tRNA) so it can be used to build proteins. When mupirocin binds to and inhibits this enzyme, the bacteria run out of isoleucyl-tRNA, which halts both protein synthesis and RNA synthesis.
At low concentrations, mupirocin is bacteriostatic (stops bacterial growth); at higher concentrations — like those achieved directly at the skin surface — it is bactericidal (kills bacteria). Human isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase has a different shape from the bacterial enzyme, which is why mupirocin selectively kills bacteria without harming human cells.
Mupirocin is rapidly inactivated in the bloodstream (half-life 20–40 minutes), which is why it cannot be given orally or systemically. It is effective only as a topical agent, where it achieves high local concentrations at the site of infection with minimal systemic absorption (less than 1.25% through intact skin).
2% — ointment
Apply small amount to affected area 3 times daily for up to 10 days; 22g tube
2% — cream
Apply small amount to affected area 3 times daily for 10 days; 15g or 30g tube
2% — nasal ointment
Apply half of single-use tube into each nostril twice daily for 5 days; for MRSA nasal decolonization
Bactroban (mupirocin) is generally widely available at most pharmacies across the United States. There is no active FDA-declared national shortage as of 2026. Generic mupirocin is produced by multiple manufacturers, providing strong supply chain redundancy. Most patients can fill a mupirocin prescription at their local pharmacy without difficulty.
However, temporary local stockouts do occur — particularly at smaller or independent pharmacies, and during peak impetigo season in late summer and early fall. Brand-name Bactroban may also be harder to find than the generic at some locations. The nasal ointment formulation is less commonly stocked at retail pharmacies and may require special ordering.
If your pharmacy is out of Bactroban, medfinder can help. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check current stock and texts you the results, saving you the time and frustration of calling around yourself.
Bactroban (mupirocin) is not a controlled substance and does not require any special DEA scheduling authorization. Any licensed prescriber in the United States can prescribe it. Prescribers who commonly prescribe Bactroban include:
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Pediatricians
Dermatologists
Urgent care providers
Nurse practitioners (NPs)
Physician assistants (PAs)
Bactroban is widely available via telehealth platforms since it is not a controlled substance. Most telehealth platforms (Teladoc, MDLive, Zocdoc virtual visits, Amazon Clinic) can diagnose bacterial skin infections via photo or video visit and prescribe mupirocin. This is often the fastest way to obtain a prescription, particularly for impetigo with its distinctive visual presentation.
No. Bactroban (mupirocin) is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled by the DEA under the Controlled Substances Act. It has no potential for abuse, addiction, or misuse. Any licensed prescriber — including nurse practitioners and physician assistants — can prescribe it without any DEA-specific restrictions.
Bactroban is, however, a prescription-only medication (Rx) in the United States. It cannot be purchased over the counter. A diagnosis and valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider are required to dispense it. Telehealth platforms can easily prescribe mupirocin via video or photo consultation, making access convenient for most patients.
Bactroban is very well tolerated. Most patients complete a full treatment course without significant side effects. The following were reported in clinical trials:
Burning, stinging, or pain at application site (1.5%)
Itching at application site (~1%)
Headache (~1.7%, cream formulation)
Nausea (~1.1%, cream formulation)
Rash (~1.1%, cream formulation)
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): Hives, facial/throat swelling, wheezing, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care immediately
Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD): Very rare with topical use; report severe or persistent diarrhea to your provider
Microbial/fungal overgrowth: Possible with prolonged use beyond 10 days — use only as directed
PEG-related nephrotoxicity: Risk with ointment use on large burns or open wounds in patients with renal impairment
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Retapamulin (Altabax)
FDA-approved topical for MSSA impetigo; twice daily for 5 days; not effective against MRSA; more expensive than generic mupirocin
Ozenoxacin (Xepi)
Newer topical antibiotic for impetigo; effective in mupirocin-resistant cases; applied twice daily for 5 days; ages 2 months and older
Cephalexin (Keflex)
Oral first-generation cephalosporin; preferred for extensive or bullous impetigo; comparable cure rates to topical mupirocin for limited disease
Clindamycin
Oral/topical option for CA-MRSA suspected skin infections; check local antibiogram for resistance before prescribing
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Other topical products (creams, ointments, lotions)
moderateDo not apply Bactroban ointment concurrently with other topical products — may alter drug absorption and reduce effectiveness
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) accumulation in renal impairment
moderateIn patients with severe renal impairment using mupirocin ointment on large open wounds, PEG vehicle absorption may worsen kidney function
Bactroban (mupirocin) has remained the gold-standard topical antibiotic for impetigo and bacterial skin infections in the U.S. for nearly three decades — and for good reason. Its unique mechanism of action, minimal systemic absorption, excellent tolerability, and effectiveness against MRSA make it a reliable first-line option.
When prescribing Bactroban, defaulting to generic mupirocin will save patients money and improve access. Generic is therapeutically equivalent, more widely stocked, and covered at lower cost tiers by virtually all insurance plans. Concerns about mupirocin resistance are real but manageable — reserve mupirocin for appropriate indications, limit treatment duration to 10 days, and culture when treatment fails.
If you or your patient is having trouble finding Bactroban at a local pharmacy, medfinder can quickly locate which pharmacies near you have it in stock. Just enter your medication, dosage, and ZIP code — medfinder calls pharmacies on your behalf and texts you the results. medfinder covers all medications, not just shortage drugs.
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