FDA (U.S.): Approved as a topical ointment (over the counter) to prevent infection in minor cuts and burns. The injectable form was withdrawn: in 2020 the FDA requested its removal from the market because of the risk of serious kidney damage and little benefit.
EMA (EU): No centralized EMA authorization; in Europe there are topical preparations authorized at the national level (for example, in combination with neomycin).
Topical use: apply a thin layer to the wound 1 to 3 times a day, for no more than 7 days without medical advice (FDA over-the-counter labeling).
922 patients undergoing outpatient dermatologic surgery. Infection was low and similar with bacitracin (0.9%) and with petrolatum alone (2.0%), with no significant difference. With bacitracin there were 4 cases of allergic contact dermatitis and none with petrolatum.
View the study (RCT) →It prevents bacteria from building their cell wall by blocking the recycling of a carrier molecule (bactoprenol). It acts mainly against gram-positive bacteria, such as staphylococci and streptococci.
In people
Information, not medical advice. Prescription or unapproved peptides should only be used under medical supervision.