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.
