Because less than 1% is absorbed after topical application, mupirocin is considered a low risk to the nursing infant.[1] Ensure that the infant's skin does not come into direct contact with the areas of skin that have been treated. Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.[2] Mupirocin applied topically to the nipples appears to be relatively ineffective as a treatment for sore, cracked nipples.
Drug Levels
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects in Breastfed Infants
A mother who was exclusively nursing her 52-day-old infant developed a soft-tissue infection. She was treated with intravenous teicoplanin 400 mg every 12 hours for 3 doses, then 400 mg daily for 5 days total, intravenous ceftriaxone 1 gram daily, topical mupirocin cream twice daily. A careful follow-up indicated that her infant had no adverse effects.[3]
Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk
A small, randomized, unblinded trial of mothers with sore, cracked nipples was performed. Mupirocin 2% applied to the nipples after each feeding was much less effective (16% vs 79%) than an oral antibiotic (cloxacillin or erythromycin for 10 days) in resolving the problem. Additionally, more patients' condition worsened (28% vs 5%) with mupirocin than with an oral antibiotic.[4]
In a randomized, double-bind trial, lanolin was compared to an all-purpose nipple ointment containing mupirocin 1%, betamethasone 0.05%, and miconazole 2% for painful nipples while nursing in the first 2 weeks postpartum. The two treatments were equally effective in reducing nipple pain, nipple healing time, breastfeeding duration, breastfeeding exclusivity rate, mastitis and nipple symptoms, side effects or maternal satisfaction with treatment.[5]
Leachman SA, Reed BR. The use of dermatologic drugs in pregnancy and lactation. Dermatol Clin. 2006;24:167-97. [PubMed: 16677965]
2.
Noti A, Grob K, Biedermann M et al. Exposure of babies to C(15)-C(45) mineral paraffins from human milk and breast salves. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2003;38:317-25. [PubMed: 14623482]
3.
Kaplan YC, Keskin-Arslan E, Acar S et al. Teicoplanin use during breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med. 2017. [PubMed: 28051878]
4.
Livingstone V, Stringer LJ. The treatment of Staphyloccocus aureus infected sore nipples: a randomized comparative study. J Hum Lact. 1999;15:241-6. [PubMed: 10578803]
5.
Dennis CL, Schottle N, Hodnett E, McQueen K. An all-purpose nipple ointment versus lanolin in treating painful damaged nipples in breastfeeding women: A randomized controlled trial. Breastfeed Med. 2012. [PubMed: 22428572]
Substance Identification
Substance Name
Mupirocin
CAS Registry Number
12650-69-0
Drug Class
Breast Feeding
Lactation
Anti-Infective Agents, Local
Antibacterial Agents
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