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Compare Mupirocin vs. Polysporin

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

Key takeaways

Mupirocin (Bactroban, Centany) and Polysporin (bacitracin/polymyxin B) are both topical antibiotics used to address skin-related issues, but they have important differences. Mupirocin is specifically used to treat active 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. On the other hand, Polysporin is an over-the-counter medication used to prevent infections from minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. It combines two antibiotics and is applied 1 to 3 times daily. While mupirocin is generally well-tolerated, it can cause side effects like headaches and burning at the application site. Polysporin doesn't typically cause side effects when used as directed.

  • Mupirocin
    Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B)
  • Mupirocin
    Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B)

  • Summary of Mupirocin vs. Polysporin

    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 Topical antibiotic

    Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) is a combination medication that contains two antibiotics. It's an ointment that's applied on the skin to prevent bacterial infections in minor cuts and burns. Typically, you can apply this medication onto your skin 1 to 3 times daily. Most people have few to no side effects when they use Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) as directed.

  • Indications of Mupirocin vs. Polysporin

    Indications for
    •Impetigo - ointment
    •Bacterial skin infection that happens after skin gets damaged (e.g., from a cut or other wound) - cream
    Indications for
    •Preventing bacterial skin infections from small cuts, scrapes, and burns

  • Pros and Cons of Mupirocin vs. Polysporin

    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 Topical antibiotic
    Pros
    •Combines two antibiotics into one topical ointment for convenience
    •Has very few side effects, so it's safe for most people if used as directed
    •Available as a generic, over-the-counter medication
    Cons
    •Might need to use multiple times a day
    •Can't use for deep or large wounds
    •Not meant to be used for more than 7 days

  • Common Side Effects of Mupirocin vs. Polysporin

    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

    See Risks and Warnings.

  • Warnings of Mupirocin vs. Polysporin

    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
    •Allergic reaction
    •Use only on your skin

  • Prices with our coupons for Mupirocin vs. Polysporin

    Learn more about Mupirocin
    Learn more about Polysporin

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