In the U.S.—

• Antibacterial, nasal

Mupirocin ( myoo-PEER-oh-sin) is used inside the nose to kill a certain bacteria, known as Staphylococcus aureus (also known as “staph”), that has become resistant to the antibiotic methicillin.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Nasal
• Nasal ointment (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nasal mupirocin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to mupirocin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Nasal mupirocin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, nasal mupirocin has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether nasal mupirocin passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients and there is no specific information comparing use of nasal mupirocin in children with use in other age groups. However, a study in newborns and infants found that significant amounts of nasal mupirocin were absorbed into the body.

Older adults—No information is available comparing use of nasal mupirocin in the elderly with use in other adults. However, it has not been reported to cause different side effects or other problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are using nasal mupirocin, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are using any of the following:

• Other medicines used in the nose—Use at the same time as intranasal mupirocin is not recommended

To use the nasal ointment

• First, wash your hands.
• Apply approximately 1/2 of the ointment from the single-use tube directly from the tube into one nostril. Then apply the remainder of the ointment directly into the other nostril.
• Close your nostrils by pressing the sides of the nose together and then releasing them. Do this over and over again for approximately one minute. You may also press the sides of the nose together and gently massage the nose. These methods will help spread the medicine throughout the inside of the nostrils.
• Discard the tube after using. The tube only has enough medicine for one dose in each nostril.
• Be careful not to touch your eyes.
• Immediately after using the nose ointment, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.

Dosing—

The dose of nasal mupirocin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of nasal mupirocin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For nasal dosage form (nasal ointment):
  • To kill Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) bacteria in the nose:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—Approximately 1/2 of the ointment from a single-use tube squeezed into each nostril two times a day (morning and evening) for five days.
    • Children less than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Keep this medicine away from your eyes. If this medicine gets in the eyes, it may cause severe burning and tearing that may last days or weeks. If this occurs, contact your doctor.

Do not use any other medicine in your nose without first checking with your doctor.

If severe nasal irritation occurs, discontinue use of this medicine and contact your doctor.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • Chest congestion;  cough 
  
  

• Rare
  • Ear pain 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Headache 
  
  

• Less common
  • Burning or stinging in the nose;  change in taste;  itching;  sore throat;  stuffy or runny nose 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.