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Mupirocin vs. Neosporin

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

Key takeaways

Mupirocin (Bactroban, Centany) and Neosporin (bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin B) are both topical antibiotics used to address skin infections, but they differ in several key aspects. Mupirocin is specifically used to treat bacterial skin infections like impetigo and is available by prescription only. It comes in cream and ointment forms and is applied three times a day for up to 10 days. Neosporin, on the other hand, is an over-the-counter medication used to prevent infections in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. It combines three antibiotics and is applied one to three times daily. While mupirocin is generally well-tolerated, it can cause side effects like headache and burning at the application site. Neosporin may cause allergic reactions in some people. Neosporin is not meant for serious injuries or long-term use. Both medications are available as a lower-cost generic.

Mupirocin

 

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Neosporin

 

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Summary for Mupirocin

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.

Indications for Mupirocin

  • Impetigo - ointment
  • Bacterial skin infection that happens after skin gets damaged (e.g., from a cut or other wound) - cream

Pros and Cons for Mupirocin

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

Common Side Effects for Mupirocin

  • Headache (2%)
  • Burning, stinging, or pain at the application site (up to 2%; more common with ointment)
  • Rash (1%)
  • Nausea (1%)

Warnings for Mupirocin

  • Severe allergic reaction
  • Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
  • Development of hard-to-treat infections
  • Caution use in people with kidney problems (ointment only)

Summary for Neosporin

Over-the-counter

Neosporin, sometimes known as "triple antibiotic," is a combination antibiotic ointment that contains three active ingredients: bacitracin, polymyxin B, and neomycin. Neosporin is used to help prevent skin infections in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns, as these wounds heal. But it's not meant to treat animal bites, serious burns, or deep puncture wounds - those might require medical attention. It's available over the counter and as a lower-cost generic medication.

Indications for Neosporin

  • Preventing infections in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns

Pros and Cons for Neosporin

Pros

  • Combines three antibiotics into one ointment for convenience
  • Available over the counter
  • Works well to prevent infections in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns
  • Comes in different sizes
  • Available as a lower-cost generic medication

Cons

  • Might need to use it a few times per day
  • Can be messy to use
  • Not meant for long-term use
  • Can't be used to treat infections
  • Not for use in your eyes, nose, mouth, ears, or genitals

Common Side Effects for Neosporin

See Risks and Warnings

Warnings for Neosporin

  • Allergic reaction
  • Use only on your skin

Prices with our coupons for Mupirocin vs. Neosporin

Price Card Drug Icon
Mupirocin1 tube / 22g of 2%
$11.84$17.13
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Price Card Drug Icon
Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Bacitracin Non-Prescription1 tube / 28g of 3.5mg/5000iu/400iu
$10.38-
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