Article: Mupirocin

Mupirocin
Systematic (IUPAC) name
?
Identifiers
CAS number	12650-69-0
ATC code	D06AX09 R01AX06
PubChem	6476007
DrugBank	APRD00162
Chemical data
Formula	C26H44O8
Mol. weight	484.623 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Protein binding	97%
Metabolism	?
Half life	20 to 40 minutes
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?

Mupirocin (pseudomonic acid A, or Bactroban) is an antibiotic originally isolated from Pseudomonas fluorescens. It is used topically, and is primarily effective against Gram-positive bacteria.

It has a unique mechanism of action, which is selective binding to bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, which halts the incorporation of isoleucine into bacterial proteins. Because this mechanism of action is not shared with any other antibiotic, mupirocin has few problems of antibiotic cross-resistance. It is a topical treatment for bacterial skin infections, for example, furuncle, open wounds etc. It is also useful in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphyolococcus aureus (MRSA), which is a significant cause of death in hospitalized patients who have received systemic antibiotic therapy. It is suggested, however, that mupirocin not be used for extended periods of time, or indiscriminately, as resistance does develop, and could, if it becomes widespread, destroy mupirocin's value as a treatment for MRSA. It may also result in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms.

The original manufacturer's (GlaxoSmithKline) product is Bactroban.