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Mupirocin

FDA-approved product (ointment, topical), marketed as Bactroban, Centany, Mupirocin.

Registered studies
50+
Lab records
16
Pathogens at ≥40%
4 of 4

Chemical structure

Chemical structure of Mupirocin
A drawing shows what the molecule is, not what it does.

Existing / approved use

Documented · FDA, WHO, ChEMBL

Approved for

  • Impetigo
  • Infection
  • Nasal congestion

Indications ChEMBL records as approved, from FDA and DailyMed labels. Label ↗

WHO therapeutic group
Other antibiotics for topical use; Other nasal preparations
FDA pharmacologic class
RNA Synthetase Inhibitor Antibacterial FDA label ↗
Anti-infective classification
Classified as an existing antimicrobial.WHO ATC D06AX09; FDA class RNA Synthetase Inhibitor Antibacterial

Repurposing investigation

Mupirocin is already an antimicrobial, so it is not counted among the repurposing candidates. Its AI-predicted activity is shown below for reference.

AI-predicted activity

AI prediction · nothing measured
  • MRSA75.4% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.
  • E. coli82.6% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.
  • K. pneumoniae71.8% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.
  • M. tuberculosis42.2% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.

A model’s estimate of laboratory activity against each pathogen species. It is not clinical effectiveness.

Evidence

Clinical and experimental

Documented evidence

Clinical

50+registered studies name this medicine, for any condition. The registry search keeps the first 50, so there may be more. See them below.

Experimental

  • MRSA: measured active in 6 of 10 lab records
  • E. coli: measured active in 1 of 2 lab records
  • K. pneumoniae: measured active in 2 of 4 lab records
Show the 16 laboratory records, with sources

Loading records…

“Active” means the measured value reached this project’s laboratory cutoff (10 µM or stronger). A laboratory result does not show an effect in patients.

Docking

Computational · nothing measured

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (E. coli)

Not yet docked: queued in the docking rundetails

KPC-2 carbapenemase ↗ (K. pneumoniae)

Not yet docked: queued in the docking rundetails

Enoyl-ACP reductase (InhA) ↗ (M. tuberculosis)

Not yet docked: queued in the docking rundetails

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (MRSA)

Not yet docked: queued in the docking rundetails

AutoDock Vina, one experimentally solved protein per pathogen. This project’s screening target is -7.0 kcal/mol, its own mark rather than a universal cutoff. A docking score is a structural hypothesis, not proof of binding, and requires experimental validation.

Other medicines to investigate

AI prediction · nothing measured

Other repurposing candidates: approved medicines besides Mupirocin with AI-predicted activity ≥40% against the chosen pathogen, leaving out existing antimicrobials. They are computational candidates for further investigation, not alternatives and not recommendations.

Sorted by AI-predicted activity, high to low. The order is not a ranking of which medicine is better.

Registered studies

A registration describes a study; it does not establish a positive result.

  • Thermosensitive Gel Nasal Spray With Stem Cell Exosomes, Mupirocin, and DNase I for Chronic Sinusitis

    NCT07635433 · start 2026-07-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07635433
    Conditions
    Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
    Interventions
    Exosomes (hUC-MSC-Exo); Mupirocin; DNase I; Placebo Gel Matrix
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Early phase 1
    Registry status
    Not yet recruiting
    Start
    2026-07-01
    Completion
    2027-06-30
    Enrolment
    108

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionChronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
    InterventionExosomes (hUC-MSC-Exo); Mupirocin; DNase I; Placebo Gel Matrix
    PhaseEarly phase 1
    Registry statusNot yet recruiting
  • Administering NMT to Reestablish Infant Nasal Microbiome Diversity Following Intranasal Mupirocin Treatment

    NCT06805994 · start 2025-08-27

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06805994
    Conditions
    Staphylococcal Aureus Infection; Microbial Colonization; Pediatric Infection; S. Aureus Colonization; Microbial Transplant
    Interventions
    Nasal Microbiota Transplant (NMT); Placebo
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 1
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2025-08-27
    Completion
    2028-01-01
    Enrolment
    175

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionStaphylococcal Aureus Infection; Microbial Colonization; Pediatric Infection; S. Aureus Colonization +1 more
    InterventionNasal Microbiota Transplant (NMT); Placebo
    PhasePhase 1
    Registry statusRecruiting
  • Surgical Wound Infection Prevention Bundle in Patients Undergoing Coronary Bypass Graft Surgery

    NCT07003750 · start 2025-07-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07003750
    Conditions
    Infection Due to Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (Diagnosis)
    Interventions
    Surgical wound infection prevention bundle
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2025-07-01
    Completion
    2026-06-30
    Enrolment
    200

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionInfection Due to Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (Diagnosis)
    InterventionSurgical wound infection prevention bundle
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Decolonization Efficacy of Polyhexanide vs. Mupirocin

    NCT06633588 · start 2025-05-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06633588
    Conditions
    Staphylococcus Aureus; Colonization, Asymptomatic
    Interventions
    Polyhexanide; Mupirocin and Chlorhexidine
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2025-05-01
    Completion
    2026-06-30
    Enrolment
    24

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionStaphylococcus Aureus; Colonization, Asymptomatic
    InterventionPolyhexanide; Mupirocin and Chlorhexidine
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Topical Steroids & Bacterial Decolonization for Radiation Dermatitis

    NCT05505214 · start 2023-09-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05505214
    Conditions
    Radiation Dermatitis
    Interventions
    Bacterial decolonization; Mometasone furoate 0.1% cream; Bacterial decolonization and Mometasone furoate 0.1% cream
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Withdrawn
    Start
    2023-09-01
    Completion
    2025-09-01
    Enrolment
    0

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionRadiation Dermatitis
    InterventionBacterial decolonization; Mometasone furoate 0.1% cream; Bacterial decolonization and Mometasone furoate 0.1% cream
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusWithdrawn
  • Bacterial Decolonization to Prevent Radiation-induced Oral Mucositis

    NCT05893810 · start 2023-07-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05893810
    Conditions
    Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Radiation-induced Oral Mucositis; Bacterial Colonization; Quality of Life
    Interventions
    Mupirocin Ointment
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2023-07-01
    Completion
    2024-12-31
    Enrolment
    176

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionNasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Radiation-induced Oral Mucositis; Bacterial Colonization; Quality of Life
    InterventionMupirocin Ointment
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusUnknown
  • Decolonization to Reduce After-Surgery Events of Surgical Site Infection

    NCT05586776 · start 2023-01-17

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05586776
    Conditions
    Surgical Site Infection
    Interventions
    4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate; 2% Mupirocin; Soap Without Antiseptic Properties (Placebo); Placebo Nasal Ointment
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2023-01-17
    Completion
    2027-12
    Enrolment
    2,700

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionSurgical Site Infection
    Intervention4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate; 2% Mupirocin; Soap Without Antiseptic Properties (Placebo); Placebo Nasal Ointment
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusRecruiting
  • Studying the Distribution of Accessory Gene Regulator (Agr) Quorum Sensing System and the Prevalence of Linezolid and Mupirocin Resistance in Biofilm Producer/Non Producer Staphylococcus Aureus in Sohag University Hospitals

    NCT06291181 · start 2023-01-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06291181
    Conditions
    Staphylococcus Aureus
    Interventions
    antibiotic sensitivity test
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2023-01-01
    Completion
    2023-06-30
    Enrolment
    265

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionStaphylococcus Aureus
    Interventionantibiotic sensitivity test
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Evaluation of the Effect of HFMT in Promoting Donor-site Wound Healing

    NCT05839158 · start 2022-03-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05839158
    Conditions
    Wound Heal
    Interventions
    HFMT cell suspension; Mupirocin ointment
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2022-03-01
    Completion
    2022-12-31
    Enrolment
    100

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionWound Heal
    InterventionHFMT cell suspension; Mupirocin ointment
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Safety and Efficacy of Intranasal Application of GX-03 as a Treatment and Prevention for COVID-19.

    NCT04951349 · start 2021-01-21

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT04951349
    Conditions
    Covid19
    Interventions
    GX-03; Petrolatum ointment
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2021-01-21
    Completion
    2021-05-30
    Enrolment
    85

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionCovid19
    InterventionGX-03; Petrolatum ointment
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Effect of Topical Sinonasal Antibiotics

    NCT03935828 · start 2019-06

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03935828
    Conditions
    Chronic Rhinosinusitis (Diagnosis); Antibiotic Side Effect
    Interventions
    Oral versus topical antibioitics
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Withdrawn
    Start
    2019-06
    Completion
    2021-06
    Enrolment
    0

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionChronic Rhinosinusitis (Diagnosis); Antibiotic Side Effect
    InterventionOral versus topical antibioitics
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusWithdrawn
  • Retapamulin as a Decolonizing Agent for MRSA

    NCT03304873 · start 2017-12-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03304873
    Conditions
    MRSA
    Interventions
    Retapamulin; Placebo Ointment
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2017-12-01
    Completion
    2019-03-18
    Enrolment
    47

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionMRSA
    InterventionRetapamulin; Placebo Ointment
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Treatment of Nasal Staphylococcus Aureus Colonization in Patients With HHT

    NCT02963129 · start 2017-06

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT02963129
    Conditions
    Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia; Epistaxis
    Interventions
    Mupirocin; Placebo
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2017-06
    Completion
    2017-12
    Enrolment
    40

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionHereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia; Epistaxis
    InterventionMupirocin; Placebo
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusUnknown
  • Effect of a Combination of Bundles on Surgical-site Infection After Elective Colorectal Surgery

    NCT03081962 · start 2017-02-15

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03081962
    Conditions
    Surgical Site Infection
    Interventions
    Bundle; Standard care
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2017-02-15
    Completion
    2017-08
    Enrolment
    102

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionSurgical Site Infection
    InterventionBundle; Standard care
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusUnknown
  • Mupirocin to Reduce Staphylococcus Aureus Colonization in Infants Hospitalized in a NICU

    NCT02967432 · start 2016-10

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT02967432
    Conditions
    Staphylococcus
    Interventions
    Mupirocin Topical Ointment; Petroleum Jelly
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2016-10
    Completion
    2019-12
    Enrolment
    216

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionStaphylococcus
    InterventionMupirocin Topical Ointment; Petroleum Jelly
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusCompleted