6 Mupirocin Side Effects and How to Manage Them

GoodRx Health

Mupirocin (Centany) is a commonly used topical antibiotic that has been around for decades. It helps treat skin infections, such as impetigo, and has many off-label uses. It's available as a prescription-only topical cream or ointment that you apply to your skin.

Most mupirocin side effects are mild and affect the skin. But in rare cases, it can cause more serious bodywide side effects.

Mupirocin side effects at a glance

Mupirocin's side effects mostly affect the skin where it's applied. People using mupirocin during clinical trials reported slightly different side effects for the cream and the ointment.

Mild mupirocin side effects include:

• Burning, stinging, or pain

• Itching

• Rash

• Dry skin

• Skin tenderness

• Skin redness

• Eye irritation (if it gets into the eyes)

• Headache

• Nausea

• Contact dermatitis (allergic skin reaction)

While rare, mupirocin can cause severe allergic reactions. These include anaphylaxis and angioedema (swelling under the skin).

Below, we'll cover six notable mupirocin side effects and risks in more detail, as well as tips for managing them.

1. Burning, stinging, or pain

The most commonly reported mupirocin side effect is burning, stinging, or pain where it's applied. But the skin conditions mupirocin is used to treat can also cause these symptoms.

For example, impetigo can cause pain and irritation at the site of the blister. And because impetigo-affected skin is more sensitive, applying a topical product such as mupirocin could cause burning or stinging.

In many cases, this side effect should go away on its own fairly quickly. If you have pain, burning, or stinging that isn't going away or is getting worse, talk to your healthcare team about what to do next.

2. Itching

Impetigo can cause itching, too. However, at least one mupirocin trial included people with eczema, which can also cause itching. So, the itching may be from mupirocin or the skin condition it's being used to treat.

Itching should go away when your condition is treated or when you stop using mupirocin. But in the meantime, avoid scratching the itchy skin and stay away from harsh scrubbing and soaps. This helps prevent the irritation from getting worse.

Dry skin could be contributing to the itching as well. You can treat and prevent dry skin by using moisturizing creams and ointments, especially after taking a bath or shower.

If your itching doesn't go or gets worse, talk to your prescriber. They may recommend adjusting your medications or using another product to help relieve itching.

3. Rash

A small percentage of people in clinical trials reported a rash while using mupirocin. You may have a rash because your skin is reacting to mupirocin's ingredients. But other substances, medical conditions, and medications can cause a rash as well.

For mild rashes, you can try using cold compresses and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments such as topical steroids, antihistamines, and cooling agents. Your pharmacist or prescriber can help you select a product that's safe and likely to help. Avoid scratching the rash, since this can make it worse.

You can usually treat a small mild rash at home, and it may go away on its own. But a rash that gets worse or spreads over more parts of the body can be more serious and may require medical attention (more on this later).

4. Eye irritation

If you get mupirocin cream or ointment in your eyes, it's likely to cause irritation. So wash your hands before and after applying it and avoid getting the product too close to the eyes.

Symptoms of eye irritation may include pain or itching. While these symptoms may be bothersome, they will typically fade as your eyes flush out the medication. You can also gently flush your eyes with water or saline eye wash.

Eye pain that doesn't go away or gets worse can be a sign of something more serious. Contact your healthcare team for next steps if this is the case.

5. Nausea

Nausea is another reported mupirocin side effect. But it's not clear how mupirocin might cause nausea because it's typically only applied to the skin.

If you have nausea while using mupirocin, it will likely pass quickly and get better on its own. You can try eating smaller (but more frequent) meals throughout the day, staying hydrated, and avoiding spicy or greasy foods. These tips can help settle your stomach.

If your nausea is causing vomiting, or if it isn't getting better, talk with your healthcare team. This could be a sign of something more serious. If your nausea is accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, hives, and dizziness, you may be having an allergic reaction. Get emergency medical care if this happens.

6. Severe allergic reactions

Mupirocin can cause severe allergic reactions. This includes anaphylaxis, which can involve the whole body and can be fatal.

Anaphylaxis tends to happen quickly. It might start as a rash, hives, or itching that spreads. It can then progress to other other symptoms, such as a fast heartbeat and difficulty breathing.

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away. If you experience these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Administer injectable epinephrine (such as an Epipen) if you have it available.

Mupirocin can also cause angioedema. This causes swelling under the skin and usually affects the face, lips, and neck. It can also affect your throat, making it difficult to breathe. Other symptoms can include abdominal pain and vomiting. Get emergency medical care immediately if you have these symptoms.

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