What is Bactroban 2% Cream used for?

Bactroban 2% Cream is primarily used to treat skin infections caused by bacteria, such as impetigo.

How does Bactroban work on skin infections?

Bactroban contains mupirocin, which works by stopping the growth of bacteria, allowing your body to heal the infection.

Can I use Bactroban 2% Cream for cuts and scrapes?

Bactroban is specifically designed for bacterial infections; for cuts and scrapes, consult your doctor for appropriate treatment.

How do I apply Bactroban 2% Cream correctly?

Clean the affected area, then apply a small amount of cream directly on the infection, usually three times a day.

Is Bactroban safe for children?

Yes, Bactroban can be used in children, but always consult your pediatrician for proper dosage and application.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Bactroban?

If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. If it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one.

Can Bactroban 2% Cream be used alongside other medications?

It's important to discuss with your doctor before combining Bactroban with any other medications or treatments.

Are there any side effects of using Bactroban 2% Cream?

Some may experience side effects such as burning or itching at the application site. If severe reactions occur, seek medical help.

How long does it take for Bactroban to work?

Many patients see improvement within a few days; however, complete healing may take longer depending on the infection.

Can I use Bactroban on my face?

Bactroban can be used on the face; however, consult your doctor first if you have sensitive skin or specific concerns.

Is it okay to cover the area treated with Bactroban?

You can cover the treated area with a bandage if desired, but ensure it's breathable to prevent irritation.

Should I avoid any foods while using Bactroban 2% Cream?

There are no specific food restrictions while using Bactroban; maintain a balanced diet to support healing.

Can pregnant women use Bactroban 2% Cream safely?

Pregnant women should speak with their healthcare provider before using Bactroban to assess risks and benefits.

What if my symptoms don’t improve after using Bactroban?

If symptoms persist after a week of treatment, contact your healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t use Bactroban 2% Cream?

People with known allergies to mupirocin or any ingredients in the cream should avoid using it. Consult your doctor in doubt.

How should I store Bactroban 2% Cream at home?

Store the cream at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze it.

Can I share my Bactroban cream with others if they have similar symptoms?

No, you should not share prescription creams. Always encourage others to seek their medical advice from a professional.

Does using Bactroban affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

No, using Bactroban does not typically affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

What should I do if I accidentally swallow Bactroban cream?

If ingested accidentally, contact poison control or seek medical attention immediately for assistance.

BACTROBAN 2% CREAM - Patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Patient leaflet - BACTROBAN 2% CREAM

Bactroban®

if you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. this includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. see section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1 What Bactroban is and what it is used for
2 What you need to know before you use Bactroban
3 How to use Bactroban
4 Possible side effects
5 How to store Bactroban
6 Contents of the pack and other information

1 What Bactroban is and what it is used for

Bactroban 2% Cream (called ‘Bactroban’ in this leaflet) contains a medicine called mupirocin calcium. Bactroban is an antibiotic cream.

It is used:

to treat infections on your skin in small cuts, wounds or on scraped skin.
to kill bacteria causing infections on your skin called ‘Staphylococcus aureus’ and ‘Streptococcus pyogens’.

2 What you need to know before you use Bactroban

Do not use Bactroban if:

you are allergic (hypersensitive) to mupirocin calcium, mupirocin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
the patient is less than 1 year old.

If you are not sure if this applies to you, do not use this medicine. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before using Bactroban.

Warnings and precautions Bactroban can cause severe skin reactions or allergies. See ‘Conditions to look out for ’ in section 4. Thrush (a yeast infection) may develop if Bactroban is used for a long time. On the skin this looks like bright red spots which may be very itchy. On occasion small pustules may be present in the middle. If this occurs, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

Keep the cream away from your eyes.

If the cream gets into your eyes accidentally, wash them thoroughly with water.

Other medicines and Bactroban

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine. If a cracked nipple is being treated, the cream must be thoroughly washed off prior to breast-feeding. Bactroban contains cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol.

These ingredients may cause skin reactions where you apply the cream. See also section 4.

3 How to use Bactroban

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Using this medicine

Do not mix Bactroban with any other external cream or ointment medicines on the infected area of your skin as this may reduce the effectiveness of Bactroban.

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

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

How long should you use Bactroban for? Use Bactroban for as long as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. 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.

If you swallow any or use more Bactroban than you should

If you use more Bactroban than you should, speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice.
If you swallow any of the cream, contact your doctor immediately and indicate what and how much you have swallowed.

If you forget to use Bactroban

If you forget to apply Bactroban, apply it as soon as you remember.
If your next dose is due within an hour, skip the missed dose.
Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop using Bactroban

If you stop using Bactroban too early, not all the bacteria may have been killed or they may continue to grow. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist when to stop using the cream.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

4 Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Conditions to look out for

Severe skin reactions or allergies

These are very rare in people using Bactroban. Signs include

raised and itchy rash
swelling, sometimes of the face or mouth, causing difficulty in breathing
collapse or loss of consciousness

4 Contact a doctor immediately if you get any of these symptoms. Stop using Bactroban

+ If you develop a severe skin reaction or an allergy:

wipe off the cream
stop using it and
tell your doctor as soon as possible.

On rare occasions, medicines like Bactroban can cause inflammation of the colon (large intestine), causing diarrhoea, usually with blood and mucus, stomach pain, fever (pseudomembranous colitis).

4 Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you get any of these symptoms.

The following side effects may happen with this medicine:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) Itching, redness, burning, rash, swelling, pain on your skin where Bactroban is applied.

Dryness and redness of the skin can also occur on other parts of your body.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5 How to store Bactroban

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C. Do not freeze.
Do not use Bactroban after the expiry date which is stated on the tube.

The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not use Bactroban if it looks different to normal.
Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6 Contents of the pack and other information

What Bactroban contains

Each gram of cream contains 21.5 mg mupirocin calcium equivalent to 20 mg mupirocin.
The other ingredients are xanthan gum, liquid paraffin, cetomacrogol 1000, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol and purified water. See also section 2.

What Bactroban looks like and contents of the pack

Bactroban is a smooth white cream.
Bactroban is available in a 15 g tube. Each tube comes in a carton.