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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

 

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Polysporin

(bacitracin / polymyxin B)

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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 Polysporin

Over-the-counter

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 for Polysporin

  • Preventing bacterial skin infections from small cuts, scrapes, and burns

Pros and Cons for Polysporin

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 for Polysporin

See Risks and Warnings.

Warnings for Polysporin

  • Allergic reaction
  • Use only on your skin

Prices with our coupons for Mupirocin vs. Polysporin

Price Card Drug Icon
Mupirocin1 tube / 22g of 2%
$11.84$17.13
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Bacitracin/Polymyxin B Non-Prescription1 tube / 14.2g of 500iu/10000iu
$10.57$11.07
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