Patient leaflet - Mupirocin 20 mg/g nasal ointment
1 What this medicine is and what it is used for
This medicine contains the active substance mupirocin calcium. This medicine is an antibiotic ointment. It is used:
- To kill a group of bacteria in the nose called ‘Staphylococci’.
- This group includes MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
- This ointment is for use in your nose only.
2 What you need to know before you use this medicine
Do not use this medicine
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to mupirocin calcium, mupirocin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
If you are not sure if this applies to you, do not use this medicine.
Warnings and precautions
- Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before using this medicine.
- This medicine can cause severe skin reactions or allergies. See ‘Conditions to look out for’ in Section 4. Infections with non-susceptible organisms may develop if this medicine 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 this medicine
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
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 taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
It is unlikely that this medicine will affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
3 How to use this medicine
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Using this medicine
You usually apply this medicine to your nose two to three times a day.
- 1. Wash and dry your hands.
- 2. Place a small amount of this medicine, about the size of a match head, on your little finger.
- 3. Apply this to the inside of one nostril.
- 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for your other nostril.
- 5. Press the sides of your nose together to spread the ointment around the nostril.
- 6. Replace the cap on the tube and wash your hands. A cotton bud can be used instead of your little finger to apply the ointment, particularly in infants or the very ill.
How long should you use this medicine for? Use this medicine 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 nose within 5 to 7 days of starting treatment.
If you swallow any of this medicine
If you swallow any of the ointment, speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice.
If you forget to use this medicine
- If you forget to apply this medicine, 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 this medicine
If you stop using this medicine 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.
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 this medicine. 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 this medicine.
- 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 this 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: Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Itching, redness, burning, tingling or stinging of the nose.
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
- Some people can develop a skin reaction or allergy that is severe. The signs can include a rash, itchiness, redness or soreness.
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: Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/ yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5 How to store this medicine
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Store at a temperature below 25°C
- After first opening of the tube store in the original container.
- Do not use this medicine 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.
- Use this medicine within 10 days after first opening of the tube.
- Do not throw away any 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 this medicine contains
- The active substance is mupirocin calcium. Each gram of nasal ointment contains mupirocin calcium equivalent to 20mg mupirocin.
- The other ingredients are bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2 and white soft paraffin.
What this medicine looks like and contents of the pack This medicine is a smooth, homogenous ointment that is white to almost-white in colour.
Mupirocin 20mg/g ointment is available in a 3g aluminium tube with a nozzle, sealed with a plastic screw cap containing a tamper-evident ring.
One tube with a package leaflet is inserted in a carton box.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Aspire Pharma Limited
Unit 4, Rotherbrook Court
Bedford Road
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU32 3QG
United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Balkanpharma-Razgrad AD
68 Aprilsko Vastanie Blvd
7200 Razgrad, Bulgaria
This leaflet was last revised in 08/2025.
1010684 - P1.6
Package leaflet: Information for the patient
Mupirocin 20mg/g nasal ointment