Patient leaflet - Bactroban 2% ointment
1 What Bactroban is and what it is used for
Bactroban 2% Ointment (called ‘Bactroban’ in this leaflet) contains the active substance called mupirocin. Bactroban is an antibiotic ointment.
It is used:
to treat skin infections on the skin such as
- infected hair follicles which form pimples containing pus (“folliculitis”),
- an infectious skin infection with blistering and crusting known as “impetigo” or
- recurring boils (“furunculosis”)
- to kill various bacteria which cause other skin infections including Staphylococci, Streptococci and E. coli. This group includes MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
- This ointment is for external use on your skin only.
2 What you need to know before you use Bactroban
Do not use Bactroban:
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to mupirocin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Do not use if the above applies to you. If you are not sure 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
- Bactroban is not suitable for use in your eyes, nose or around intravenous cannula (‘drip’) sites. Thrush (a yeast yeast infection ) may develop if Bactroban is used for a long time. If this occurs, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Keep the ointment away from your eyes.
- If the ointment gets into your eyes accidentally, wash them thoroughly with water. Other medicines and Bactroban
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use 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 ointment must be thoroughly washed off prior to breast-feeding. Driving and using machines
It is unlikely that Bactroban will affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Bactroban Ointment contains polyethylene glycol
Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you:
- have kidney problems
- have large areas of open wounds or damaged skin to be treated
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 two to three times a day.
- 1. Wash and dry your hands.
- 2. Apply ointment to the infected area of your skin.
- 3. You can cover the treated area with a plaster(s) or suitable dressing(s), unless your doctor has told you to leave it uncovered.
- 4. 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 ointment that is left over. A20021986-00
IMPORTANT
and pre-press suitability.
GSK Market is responsible to advise SDC when changes
required impact the following:
Formulation, Tablet embossing,
NOTE TO MARKET Local approvers must ensure that trade mark and copyright statements included in the brief comply with guidance provided by Legal: Global Trade Marks.
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Manufacturing Site Number:
A20021986-00
Manufacturing Site(s):
ABDI IBRAHIM_ISTANBUL_TURKEY Product Market Trade Name:
BACTROBAN OINTMENT Approving Market(s):
United Kingdom-GBR
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If you swallow any Bactroban
If you swallow any of the ointment, speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice. 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 ointment. 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 Ointment. Signs include:
- raised and itchy rash
- swelling, sometimes of the face or mouth, causing difficulty in breathing
- collapse or loss of consciousness.
➔ Contact a doctor immediately if you get any of these symptoms. Stop using Bactroban
- If you develop a severe skin reaction or an allergy:
- wash off the ointment
- 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). ➔ 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 10 people)
- Burning where the ointment is applied.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Itching, redness, stinging and dryness on your skin in the place where Bactroban is applied.
- Allergic rash, itching, redness or soreness of the skin can also occur on other parts of your body. Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
- Swollen face and/or difficulty breathing. This may be a sign of a serious allergic reaction that could require emergency treatment.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This include any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects direclty via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5 How to store Bactroban
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Do not store above 25°C.
- Do not use Bactroban after the expiry date which is stated on the tube or carton after (EXP). The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Bactroban is an off-white, translucent ointment. Do not use it 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 protect the environment.
6 Contents of the pack and other information
What Bactroban contains
- The active substance is mupirocin. Each gram of ointment contains 20 mg mupirocin.
- The other ingredients are polyethylene glycol 400 and polyethylene glycol 3350. What Bactroban looks like and contents of the pack
- Bactroban is an off-white, translucent ointment.
- Bactroban is available in a 15 g tube. Each tube comes in a carton.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation holder:
Beecham Group plc
79 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG, United Kingdom
Manufacturer:
Glaxo Wellcome Operations
Harmire Road, Barnard Castle, Co Durham DL12 8DT
This leaflet was last revised in November 2024
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Please be ready to give the following information:
Product Name Bactroban 2% Ointment
Reference number 00038/0319
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Bactroban is a registered trade mark of the GSK group of companies.
© 2024 GSK group of companies. All rights reserved A20021986-00
IMPORTANT
and pre-press suitability.
GSK Market is responsible to advise SDC when changes
required impact the following:
Formulation, Tablet embossing,
NOTE TO MARKET Local approvers must ensure that trade mark and copyright statements included in the brief comply with guidance provided by Legal: Global Trade Marks.
Total Special Finishes: 0
2
Manufacturing Site Number:
A20021986-00
Manufacturing Site(s):
ABDI IBRAHIM_ISTANBUL_TURKEY Product Market Trade Name:
BACTROBAN OINTMENT Approving Market(s):
United Kingdom-GBR
Print Process:
N/A
Colour Standard Reference:
N/A
TEMPLATE-002 - LEAFLET-ABDI Material Spec. (Do NOT include version number):
N/A
Material Type:
N/A N/A
AIP_Production_V_INDD - 01_2023 - Version 4
8.0pt
8.0pt
Leading:
8.4pt
Horizontal Scale:
90%
Microtext:
N
Additional Info (1):
N/A
Additional Info (2):
N/A
Additional Info (3):
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