Pharm

Bacitracin

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Bacitracin, Bacitracin Zinc

  • See Also
  1. Topical Antibiotic
  • Indications
  1. Minor open wounds
  2. Burn Injury
  3. Skin Abrasions
  4. Hordeolum
  • Mechanism
  1. Bacitracin A (and other cyclic polypeptides) are produced by spore forming Bacillus subtilis (licheniformin group)
  2. Bacitracin inhibits carrier (C55-isoprenyl pyrophosphate) transporting Bacterial cell wall precursors across Bacterial plasma membrane
    1. Blocks peptidoglycan synthesis and Bacterial cell wall construction
  3. Covers typical Gram Positive Bacteria on the skin (includes MSSA)
  4. May speed Wound Healing (retains moisture within the wound, preventing eschar)
    1. When antibiotics are not indicated, consider bland topicals (e.g. aquaphor) instead
  5. Bacitracin Zinc is preferred over "triple antibiotic" (Neomycin/polymyxin B/Bacitracin)
    1. Triple Antibiotic ointment has a greater risk of Contact Dermatitis, without significant added benefit
  • Dosing
  1. Apply one to three times daily
  • Adverse Effects
  1. Contact Dermatitis
  • Resources
  1. Bacitracin Ointment (DailyMed)
    1. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0a5eeef0-309b-4edd-a664-3d9c1c74a6e9