Bacitracin vs Mupirocin
Bacitracin and mupirocin are two common antibiotics used to make ointments for minor cuts, scrapes, and other minor injuries.
They are the active ingredients in Bacitracin and Bactroban ointment, respectively.
Many people think these two are the same, at least not much different, because they see how similar their brands look: Bacitracin vs. Bactroban.
Bacitracin is a mixture of at least nine bacitracins, and 60-80% of commercially manufactured bacitracin is bacitracin A.
The content of mupirocin is not that complex; it is only pure mupirocin, not related substances.
As shown in their chemical structures above, bacitracin is a cyclic peptide, while mupirocin is a linear acid.
Mupirocin is a naturally occurring antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity against many gram-positive and certain gram-negative bacteria in vitro.
It primarily inhibits bacterial protein synthesis.
#1 Different Usages
Mupirocin is an antibacterial pseudomonic acid antibiotic produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens.
People mainly use it for impetigo and other primary or secondary superficial skin infections, such as ecthyma, eczema, folliculitis, furunculosis, atopic dermatitis, epidermolysis bullosa, and minor wounds, burns, or ulcers.
Bacitracin prevents infections, especially in skin wounds like minor cuts or burns.
Bacitracin is also used for infantile streptococcal pneumonia and empyema when used intramuscularly.
OTC manufacturers also formulate bacitracin into an ointment with neomycin and polymyxin B for over-the-counter use.
#2. Different Working Mechanism
Mupirocin works by preventing bacteria from growing. It inhibits protein synthesis in bacteria by binding to isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase.
Bacitracin prevents bacterial cell wall synthesis and cleaves DNA via oxidation; thus, it kills bacteria and prevents wound infection.
#3 Different Dosage Forms
There are mainly four dosage forms of Mupirocin:
1. Mupirocin Calcium Ointment
2. Mupirocin Cream
3. Mupirocin Nasal Ointment
4. Mupirocin Ointment.
Dosage forms for Bacitracin include:
1. Injections:
2. Ointment for skin
3. Ophthalmic ointment.
As far as we can see, there are only topical dosage forms of Mupirocin, with no injections.
Neither does Mupirocin have eye ointments, while Bacitracin has injections and ophthalmic ointments.
Mupirocin cannot be formulated as an eye ointment because, when applied to the eyes, it can cause severe symptoms such as burning and tearing.
It will take days or even weeks for this discomfort to disappear. (If contact with the eyes occurs, thoroughly wash your eyes with water or go to a doctor immediately.)
However, mupirocin ointment is available for intranasal use, whereas no bacitracin dosage forms are.
#4 Different API Prices and Ointment Retail Prices
The unit price for mupirocin API is around 2000 USD per kg, almost three times that of bacitracin API, and about 700 USD per kg for commercial order quantities.
The same is true when formulated, although API prices account for only a tiny portion of the medicine’s retail price.
Mupirocin formulations are also more expensive than bacitracin formulations.
Check the price below:
The lowest price for Bactroban is 320.38 USD/Tube, and the lowest price for bacitracin ointment is 50.83 USD/Tube.
Conclusion: The price of mupirocin’s raw material is higher than that of bacitracin, and the retail price of Bactroban ointment is also higher than that of Bacitracin ointment.
Mupirocin is used only for nasal infections, while bacitracin is used for eye infections and is also available as an injection.
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is intended for business-to-business communication within the pharmaceutical industry. It is not intended as medical advice. The manufacture, import, and use of API must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the relevant country or region.
This blog post is informational only and does not constitute medical advice.
Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.
