13.10 Anti-infective skin preparations

General Guidance
 

• Mupirocin is the topical antibiotic of choice for Gram positive infections. However, it should only be used if lesions are small and if it can be applied three times a day.
• Superficial localised bacterial skin infections can be treated topically but widespread, deep (deeper than epidermal), severe l infections (e.g. streptococcal) should be treated with a systemic antibiotic (amoxycillin).
• Topical antibiotics should be avoided on leg ulcers, treatment of bacterial colonisation is inappropriate.

​Recommended drugs

Mupirocin

Drug Traffic Light Key:

Green – On Formulary

Amber – Restricted use, see local guidelines      

Purple – Specialist use/initiation

Red – Non Formulary

Relative Costs Key (where indicated):

£££££ - high

£££ - moderate

£ - low