vancomycin + mupirocin

Vancomycin + mupirocin is a compounded topical or combination therapy consisting of the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin and the topical antibiotic mupirocin. This combination is primarily used for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, especially those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other susceptible bacteria. Mupirocin acts as a competitive inhibitor of bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, thereby inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria[6][7]. Vancomycin inhibits cell wall synthesis in Gram-positive bacteria by binding to D-Ala-D-Ala termini of cell wall precursor units. The combination may be formulated as an ointment or gel for external application to infected skin lesions such as impetigo, folliculitis, cellulitis, erysipelas, furunculosis, and infected wounds[1][4]. It has also been studied for MRSA decolonization regimens using oral or intravenous vancomycin with topical/intranasal mupirocin[3][5]. The synergistic effect can result in enhanced suppression of resistant staphylococcal strains compared to either agent alone[5].

Other names

mupirocin 2%/vancomycin 5% ointmentmupirocin 5%/vancomycin 5% gel