Antibiotic (topical)
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
Mupirocin is an antibiotic cream or ointment that works by stopping bacteria from growing on your skin, helping to clear up skin infections.
Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, preventing aminoacyl-tRNA formation and halting translation of essential bacterial proteins.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
Apply a small amount of the cream or ointment to the affected skin area 2 to 3 times a day. You can cover it with a clean bandage or plaster if needed. Use it for up to 10 days unless your doctor says otherwise. Wash your hands before and after applying.
If you forget to apply it, put it on as soon as you remember, then continue your normal schedule. Don't apply double the amount to make up for the missed one.
Important for antibiotics
Always complete the full course even if you feel better. Stopping early can cause the infection to return and become drug-resistant.
Complete the full course of treatment even if the infection looks better — stopping early can make the bacteria come back stronger. Buy only from reputable pharmacies and look for trusted brands like Mupiderm, Dermocin, Macroban, or Mupisoft, not from roadside sellers. Do not share your tube with others, as this can spread infection.
Do not mix mupirocin with other skin creams, ointments, or lotions on the same area as this can reduce how well it works. Avoid using it together with chloramphenicol cream or other topical antibiotics on the same spot. There are no major food or alcohol interactions since it is applied on the skin.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Mupirocin with your other drugs?
Consult your doctor before using mupirocin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding — it is applied to the skin so the risk is low, but it is best to get professional advice.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat — Nigerian weather can be very hot, so avoid leaving it in your car or near windows. Keep the tube tightly closed and out of reach of children. Do not use it after the expiry date.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
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Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.
Dispensing Mupirocin?
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