Pregnancy Risk Category B
How supplied
Topical ointment: 2%
Topical cream: 2%
Intranasal ointment: 2%
Action
Unknown. Thought to inhibit bacterial protein and RNA synthesis.
Indications & dosage
Impetigo--
Adults and children: apply to affected areas t.i.d. for 1 to 2 weeks. Reevaluate patient in 3 to 5 days; may cover affected area with dressing.
Secondarily infected traumatic skin lesions due to Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes--
Adults and children: apply thin film t.i.d. for 10 days; may cover with gauze dressing, if needed. Reevaluate patient if clinical improvement doesn't occur in 3 to 5 days.
Eradication of nasal colonization with methicillin-resistant S. aureus in adult patients and health care workers--
Adults and children ages 12 and older: divide ointment in single-use tube between nostrils (1/2 tube per nostril) b.i.d. for 5 days. After application, close nostrils by pressing together and releasing sides of nose repeatedly for 1 minute to spread ointment throughout nares.
Adverse reactions
CNS: headache.
EENT: rhinitis, pharyngitis, taste perversion, burning or stinging with intranasal use.
Respiratory: upper respiratory tract congestion, cough with intranasal use.
Skin: burning, pruritus, stinging, rash, pain, erythema with topical use.
Interactions
None significant.
Effects on diagnostic tests
None reported.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to drug or its components.
Nursing considerations
Patient teaching
*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine. †Canada ‡Australia §U.K. OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING