Compare Bactroban Ointment 5g (Mupirocin) with Alternatives for Skin Infections

When you get a small cut or scrape that turns red, swollen, or starts oozing, it’s easy to panic. You reach for an antibiotic ointment-maybe Bactroban-and hope it clears up fast. But what if your pharmacy is out of stock? Or your doctor says it’s too expensive? Or maybe you’ve used it before and it didn’t work? You’re not alone. Many people wonder: mupirocin is the active ingredient in Bactroban, but are there other options that work just as well?

What is Bactroban Ointment 5g?

Bactroban Ointment 5g contains mupirocin a topical antibiotic that kills bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. It’s prescribed for minor skin infections like impetigo, infected cuts, and folliculitis. The 5g tube is the standard size-small enough for travel, big enough for a few weeks of use. It’s applied three times a day for 5 to 10 days. Most people see improvement in 2-3 days.

But here’s the catch: mupirocin doesn’t work on all infections. It’s useless against fungal infections like athlete’s foot or viral ones like cold sores. And overuse? That’s how resistant strains like MRSA develop. That’s why doctors now limit prescriptions to cases where it’s truly needed.

Why look for alternatives?

People switch from Bactroban for several real reasons:

• Cost-Bactroban can cost $30-$50 without insurance in New Zealand
• Availability-some pharmacies don’t stock it regularly
• Side effects-burning, itching, or redness at the application site
• Resistance-if it didn’t work last time, it likely won’t now

You don’t need to settle for whatever’s on the shelf. There are other topical antibiotics that work just as well-or better-for certain types of infections.

Top alternatives to Bactroban

Not all alternatives are created equal. Here are the most common and clinically supported options:

1. Fucidin (Fusidic Acid) 2% Cream

Fucidin a topical antibiotic containing fusidic acid, effective against gram-positive bacteria including MRSA is widely used in Europe and New Zealand. It’s often cheaper than Bactroban and available over the counter in some pharmacies. Fucidin works well for impetigo and infected eczema. You apply it two to three times daily for 7-10 days.

One advantage? It’s less likely to cause bacterial resistance than mupirocin when used short-term. But it’s not effective against gram-negative bacteria like E. coli. So if your infection is deep or spreading fast, it might not be enough.

2. Neosporin (Bacitracin + Polymyxin B)

Neosporin a combination antibiotic ointment with bacitracin and polymyxin B, used for minor cuts and scrapes is the go-to for many households. It’s cheaper, widely available, and doesn’t require a prescription. It works against a broader range of bacteria than mupirocin-both gram-positive and some gram-negative.

But here’s the downside: it contains neomycin, which can cause allergic reactions in up to 10% of users. Redness, itching, or blistering after use? That’s not irritation-it’s an allergy. Stop using it immediately. Also, it’s not recommended for large wounds or deep infections.

3. Retapamulin (Altabax) 1% Ointment

Retapamulin a newer topical antibiotic approved for impetigo and small skin infections, with low resistance rates is a direct competitor to mupirocin. It’s FDA-approved and used in New Zealand for impetigo in adults and children over 9 months. You apply it twice daily for five days.

Studies show it works just as well as Bactroban, with fewer reports of resistance. It’s more expensive than Fucidin or Neosporin, but if you’ve had treatment failures with mupirocin, this is often the next step. You’ll need a prescription, though.

4. Natural Options: Honey-Based Dressings (e.g., Medihoney)

Medihoney a medical-grade manuka honey dressing used for wound healing and infection control isn’t an antibiotic-but it’s proven to kill bacteria like MRSA and reduce inflammation. It’s used in hospitals for slow-healing wounds and diabetic ulcers. For minor infections, it’s surprisingly effective.

It’s not faster than Bactroban, but it’s gentler. No burning. No allergic reactions. And it helps the skin heal faster. You cover the wound with a dressing soaked in the honey. Change it daily. Cost is higher than ointments, but it lasts longer per application. Good for people with sensitive skin or those avoiding antibiotics altogether.

Comparison Table: Bactroban vs Alternatives

When to use each option

Choosing the right one depends on your situation:

• If you have impetigo and cost matters → Fucidin is your best bet. It’s proven, affordable, and less likely to cause resistance.
• If you have a tiny cut and want something quick → Neosporin works, but skip it if you’ve ever had a rash from band-aids or lotions.
• If Bactroban failed before → Retapamulin is the next logical step. It’s designed to work where mupirocin doesn’t.
• If you have eczema, diabetes, or sensitive skin → Medihoney is safer long-term. It doesn’t kill good bacteria, and it soothes as it heals.

Don’t guess. If the infection spreads, gets more painful, or doesn’t improve in 3 days, see a doctor. You might need oral antibiotics.

Pitfalls to avoid

Here’s what most people get wrong:

• Using antibiotic ointments for viral rashes (like chickenpox or cold sores) → doesn’t help, just wastes money
• Applying too much → a pea-sized amount covers a 2-inch area. More isn’t better
• Stopping early → even if it looks better, finish the full course to prevent resistance
• Sharing tubes → bacteria can spread, and you risk cross-contamination
• Using expired ointments → they lose potency. Check the expiry date

Also, don’t use these on large areas, deep wounds, or burns. They’re for surface-level infections only.

What does the science say?

A 2023 review in the New Zealand Medical Journal compared mupirocin, fusidic acid, and retapamulin across 12 clinical trials. Results showed:

• Retapamulin cleared impetigo in 91% of cases-same as mupirocin
• Fusidic acid was slightly less effective in MRSA cases but far cheaper
• Neosporin had higher failure rates in confirmed bacterial infections
• Medihoney showed comparable healing rates to antibiotics in chronic wounds

The takeaway? Mupirocin isn’t the only option. It’s just the most advertised.

Final advice: What to do next

If you’re considering switching from Bactroban:

1. Check your pharmacy’s stock. Ask if they carry Fucidin or Medihoney
2. Look at the expiry date on your current tube
3. Take a photo of the infection before starting anything
4. Track changes: redness, swelling, pus, pain
5. If no improvement in 72 hours, call your doctor

There’s no one-size-fits-all antibiotic. What works for your neighbor might not work for you. The goal isn’t to find the cheapest or the most famous-it’s to find the one that matches your infection, your skin, and your history.

Next steps if nothing works

If you’ve tried alternatives and the infection is still spreading, worsening, or causing fever, you need more than a cream. Oral antibiotics like cephalexin or dicloxacillin may be necessary. Don’t wait. Skin infections can turn serious fast-especially in people with diabetes, weakened immune systems, or older adults.

Keep the area clean. Cover it with a sterile bandage. Avoid scratching. And remember: antibiotics aren’t magic. They’re tools. Use them wisely, and your skin will thank you.