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 nasal ointment?
BACTROBAN nasal ointment contains the active ingredient mupirocin calcium. BACTROBAN
nasal ointment is used to remove bacteria, including the bacteria called 'Staphylococcus
aureus' (golden staph.) from inside your nose.
For more information, see Section
1. Why am I using BACTROBAN nasal ointment? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use BACTROBAN nasal 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.
For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before I use BACTROBAN nasal ointment? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use BACTROBAN nasal ointment?
The usual recommendation is for a small amount of BACTROBAN nasal ointment to be applied
two or three times a day. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many times to
apply the ointment. Only use this ointment in your nose.
5. What should I know while using BACTROBAN nasal ointment?
|
Things you should do
|
Remind any doctor or pharmacist you visit that you are using BACTROBAN nasal ointment.
Tell your doctor if you have not used BACTROBAN nasal ointment as directed.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while using BACTROBAN nasal ointment.
Tell your doctor if you develop an allergic reaction (such as a rash, local pain or
swelling).
Keep the ointment away from your eyes.
Take the full course of BACTROBAN nasal ointment.
|
|
Things you should not do
|
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use BACTROBAN nasal ointment to treat any other complaints unless your doctor
says to.
Do not stop using BACTROBAN nasal ointment, or change the dose without checking with
your doctor
Do not mix BACTROBAN nasal ointment with any other preparation.
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.
|
|
Looking after your medicine
|
Store BACTROBAN nasal ointment in the original packaging below 25°C.
Do not leave it in a car, on a window sill, or in the bathroom.
Do not freeze the nasal ointment.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Less serious side effects which have been reported include irritation, itching, tingling,
burning, stinging, soreness, facial pain, post nasal drip, sinus pain, runny or blocked
nose, or conjunctivitis. 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(s):
Mupirocin calcium (2% w/w)
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using BACTROBAN nasal 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 nasal ointment.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
1. Why am I using BACTROBAN nasal ointment?
BACTROBAN nasal 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 nasal ointment is used to remove bacteria, including the bacteria called
'Staphylococcus aureus' (golden staph.) from inside your nose.
BACTROBAN nasal ointment is for use in your nose only.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed BACTROBAN nasal ointment for another reason.
There is no evidence that BACTROBAN nasal ointment is addictive.
2. What should I know before I use BACTROBAN nasal ointment?
Warnings
Do not use BACTROBAN nasal 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.
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 medicines.
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.
Children
The use of BACTROBAN nasal 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 nasal ointment and affect how it works.
Do not mix BACTROBAN nasal ointment with any other preparation. This may prevent
BACTROBAN nasal 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 nasal ointment.
4. How do I use BACTROBAN nasal ointment?
Follow your doctor's instructions about how and when to use BACTROBAN nasal ointment.
The instructions from your doctor may differ from the information contained in this
leaflet.
If you have any questions about BACTROBAN nasal ointment and how to use it, please
ask your doctor or pharmacist.
How much to use
Use BACTROBAN nasal ointment as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
When to use BACTROBAN nasal ointment
Use BACTROBAN nasal ointment for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.
BACTROBAN nasal ointment is usually applied two or three times a day for between 5
and 7 days. Your doctor will tell you how many times to apply the ointment. Do not
use it for more than 10 days.
It is important that you take the full course of BACTROBAN nasal ointment. Do not
stop early as the amount of bacteria in your nose may not be reduced.
How to apply BACTROBAN nasal ointment
Always wash your hands before and after applying BACTROBAN nasal ointment.
Squeeze a small amount (about the size of a matchstick head) onto the tip of your
little finger and apply to the inside surface at the front of each nostril.
Gently press your nostrils together to help spread the ointment throughout your nose.
A swab, such as a cotton bud, may be used for application to infants or patients who
are very ill.
If you forget to use BACTROBAN nasal ointment
If you forget an application, apply some BACTROBAN nasal 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 nasal ointment (overdose)
If you think that you have used too much BACTROBAN nasal 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 nasal ointment?
Things you should do
Stop using BACTROBAN nasal 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. If BACTROBAN nasal 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 nasal ointment.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
have not used BACTROBAN nasal 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 nasal 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 nasal ointment, or change the dose, without first checking
with your doctor.
Do not use BACTROBAN nasal ointment to treat any other complaints unless your doctor
says to.
Do not use BACTROBAN nasal ointment to treat infections in or near your eyes.
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 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 nasal ointment contains
|
Active ingredient
|
Mupirocin calcium
|
|
Other ingredients
|
Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2
White soft paraffin
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What BACTROBAN nasal ointment looks like
BACTROBAN nasal ointment is a white ointment supplied in 3 g tubes (AUST R 11199).
Who distributes BACTROBAN nasal 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 nasal ointment.
Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.
© 2025 GlaxoSmithKline group of companies or its licensor.
Version 5.0