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Compare Mupirocin vs. Clindamycin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Mupirocin (Bactroban, Centany) and clindamycin (Cleocin) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial skin infections, but they belong to different medication classes and have diffnerent uses. Mupirocin is a topical antibiotic applied directly to the skin to treat small areas of infection like impetigo, while clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic available in oral and injectable forms for more serious infections, including skin, respiratory, and stomach infections. Mupirocin is applied as a cream or ointment three times a day for up to 10 days, whereas clindamycin is taken orally three to four times a day, with dosing based on age and infection severity. Mupirocin is generally well-tolerated with few side effects, but may cause headache and burning at the application site, while clindamycin can cause more systemic side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and a metallic taste. Both medications require a prescription and are available as a lower-cost generic.

  • Mupirocin
    Clindamycin (Cleocin)
  • Mupirocin
    Clindamycin (Cleocin)

  • Summary of Mupirocin vs. Clindamycin

    Summary for Antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Mupirocin is a topical antibiotic that's used to treat small areas of bacterial skin infections such as impetigo or a "Staph" infection on the skin. It comes as a cream and an ointment that are applied onto the skin a few times a day for 10 days. This medication can be used on adults or children (over the age of 2 months for the ointment, and over the age of 3 months for the cream). Although mupirocin has very few side effects, some people can experience headache, nausea, or burning at the application site.

    Summary for Lincosamide antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Clindamycin (Cleocin) is a lincosamide antibiotic that's used to treat many different serious bacterial infections, such as strep throat and skin infections. This antibiotic is approved for use in both adults and children. Clindamycin (Cleocin) is available as a capsule and liquid that are taken 3 or 4 times per day, depending on your age and your infection. It's also available as an injection that's given by a healthcare professional. Side effects include stomach upset, itching, and rash.

  • Indications of Mupirocin vs. Clindamycin

    Indications for
    •Impetigo - ointment
    •Bacterial skin infection that happens after skin gets damaged (e.g., from a cut or other wound) - cream
    Indications for
    •Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
    •Lower respiratory tract infections (e.g., pneumonia, bronchitis)
    •Stomach infections
    •Pelvic and genital tract infections
    •Bloodstream infections
    •Bone and joint infections - injection form only

  • Pros and Cons of Mupirocin vs. Clindamycin

    Pros and Const for Antibiotic
    Pros
    •Can use for children as young as 2 months old (ointment) or 3 months old (cream)
    •Can easily apply directly where the skin infection is
    •Generally well-tolerated; few people experience side effects
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Only available by prescription
    •Need to remember to use three times a day
    •Ointment might not be a good option for people with kidney problems because of risk of harm
    Pros and Const for Lincosamide antibiotic
    Pros
    •Can treat many different infections throughout the body
    •Available as lower-cost generic capsule, liquid, and injection
    •Can take if you have a penicillin allergy
    Cons
    •Might need to take three or four times per day
    •Must take capsules with a full glass of water to prevent irritation to your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach)
    •Risk of causing a type of infectious diarrhea

  • Common Side Effects of Mupirocin vs. Clindamycin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (2%)
    •Burning, stinging, or pain at the application site (up to 2%; more common with ointment)
    •Rash (1%)
    •Nausea (1%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Diarrhea
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Stomach pain
    •Skin rash
    •Itching

  • Warnings of Mupirocin vs. Clindamycin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic reaction
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Development of hard-to-treat infections
    •Caution use in people with kidney problems (ointment only)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic reactions and skin reactions
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Development of drug-resistant bacteria

  • Prices with our coupons for Mupirocin vs. Clindamycin

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