Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using BACTROBAN ointment?
BACTROBAN ointment contains the active ingredient mupirocin calcium. BACTROBAN ointment
is used for the treatment of mild impetigo (school sores).
2. What should I know before I use BACTROBAN ointment?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to mupirocin calcium or any of
the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with BACTROBAN ointment and affect how it works.
4. How do I use BACTROBAN ointment?
The usual recommendation is for a small amount of BACTROBAN ointment to be applied
to the affected area three times a day. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how
many times to apply the ointment.
5. What should I know while using BACTROBAN ointment?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor or pharmacist you visit that you are using BACTROBAN ointment.
Tell your doctor if you have not used BACTROBAN ointment as directed.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while using BACTROBAN ointment.
Tell your doctor if you develop an allergic reaction (such as a rash, local pain or
swelling).
Take the full course of BACTROBAN ointment.
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Things you should not do
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Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use BACTROBAN ointment to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says
to.
Do not stop using BACTROBAN ointment, or change the dose without checking with your
doctor.
Unless directed by your doctor or pharmacist, do not use BACTROBAN ointment to treat
infections in or near the eyes, nostrils or mouth.
Do not use if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed, or if the packaging
is torn or shows signs of tampering.
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Looking after your medicine
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Store BACTROBAN ointment in the original packaging below 25°C.
Do not leave in a car, on a window sill, or in the bathroom.
Do not freeze the ointment.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Less serious side effects which have been reported include itching, dryness, burning,
redness, stinging, pain and swelling. Serious side effects include allergic reaction
or inflammation of the colon. For more information, including what to do if you have
any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient:
Mupirocin calcium (2% w/w)
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using BACTROBAN ointment. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using BACTROBAN ointment.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using BACTROBAN ointment?
BACTROBAN ointment contains the active ingredient mupirocin calcium (2% w/w). Mupirocin calcium belongs to a group of medicines called antibiotics. Antibiotics
work by killing bacteria which can cause infection.
BACTROBAN ointment is used for the treatment of mild impetigo (school sores).
BACTROBAN ointment is for use on your skin only.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed BACTROBAN ointment for another reason.
There is no evidence that BACTROBAN ointment is addictive.
2. What should I know before I use BACTROBAN ointment?
Warnings
Do not use BACTROBAN ointment if:
you are allergic to mupirocin calcium, or any of the ingredients listed at the end
of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed, or if the packaging is torn
or shows signs of tampering.
you have large areas of broken or damaged skin in the treatment area, especially if
you suffer from reduced kidney function. BACTROBAN ointment contains polyethylene
glycol which can be absorbed by the body from open wounds and damaged skin. Polyethylene
glycol is removed from the body by the kidneys.
Check with your doctor if you:
are not sure whether you should start using this medicine.
have any allergies to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicine.
have any other medical conditions.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you.
If you are using BACTROBAN ointment on a cracked nipple, wash the nipple well before
breastfeeding your baby.
Children
The use of BACTROBAN ointment in children under two years of age is not recommended.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with BACTROBAN ointment and affect how it works.
Do not mix BACTROBAN ointment with any other preparation. This may prevent BACTROBAN
ointment from working.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect
BACTROBAN ointment.
4. How do I use BACTROBAN ointment?
Follow your doctor's instructions about how and when to use BACTROBAN ointment.
The instructions from your doctor may differ from the information contained in this
leaflet.
If you have any questions about BACTROBAN ointment and how to use it, please ask your
doctor or pharmacist.
How much to use
use BACTROBAN ointment as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
the usual recommendation is for a small amount to be applied to the affected area.
When to use BACTROBAN ointment
use BACTROBAN ointment for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.
BACTROBAN ointment is usually applied three times a day for up to 10 days. Your doctor
will tell you how many times to apply the ointment.
it is important that you take the full course of BACTROBAN ointment. Do not stop early
as your symptoms may disappear before the infection is fully treated.
How to apply BACTROBAN ointment
always wash your hands before and after applying BACTROBAN ointment.
with a piece of clean cotton wool or a gauze swab, apply a small quantity of BACTROBAN
ointment to cover the affected area.
after applying the ointment, you may cover the treated area with a sterile bandage
or gauze dressing, unless your doctor has told you to leave it uncovered.
If you forget to use BACTROBAN ointment
If you forget an application, apply some BACTROBAN ointment as soon as you remember,
then continue as before.
Do not use a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you use too much BACTROBAN ointment (overdose)
If you think that you have used too much BACTROBAN ointment, or have swallowed it
accidentally, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26 in Australia), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using BACTROBAN ointment?
Things you should do
stop using BACTROBAN ointment and tell your doctor if you develop an allergic reaction
(such as a rash, local pain or swelling). Keep the ointment away from your eyes, nose
or mouth unless directed by your doctor. If BACTROBAN ointment is accidentally applied
to the eyes, wash the eyes thoroughly with water.
remind any doctor or pharmacist you visit that you are using BACTROBAN ointment.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
have not used BACTROBAN ointment exactly as directed. Otherwise, your doctor may think
it was not working as it should and change your treatment unnecessarily.
become pregnant while using BACTROBAN ointment.
Things you should not do
do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
do not stop using BACTROBAN ointment, or change the dose, without first checking with
your doctor.
do not use BACTROBAN ointment to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says
to.
do not treat infections in or near the eyes, nostrils or mouth unless directed by
your doctor.
do not use BACTROBAN ointment to treat areas of skin near tubes inserted into your
body for the delivery or removal of fluid (cannulae). BACTROBAN ointment should not
be used in combination with cannulae.
Looking after your medicine
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in the original pack in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight
where the temperature stays below 25˚C. Do not freeze the ointment.
Do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place
to store medicines.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine, it has expired or is damaged, take it
to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date or if the packaging is torn or shows
signs of tampering.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people. Do not be alarmed by
this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What BACTROBAN ointment contains
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Active ingredient
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Mupirocin calcium
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Other ingredients
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Macrogol 400
Macrogol 3350
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What BACTROBAN ointment looks like
BACTROBAN ointment is a white ointment supplied in 15 g tubes (AUST R 11145).
Who distributes BACTROBAN ointment
GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd
Level 4, 436 Johnston Street,
Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067
Phone: 1800 033 109
This leaflet was prepared on 22 July 2025.
The information provided applies only to BACTROBAN ointment.
Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.
© 2025 GlaxoSmithKline group of companies or its licensor.
Version 5.0