Antibacterial

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• QWhat are the health risks of antibacterial cleaners?

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  A Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, MD , Pediatrics, answered on behalf of The Mount Sinai Health System

  And if you’ve ever taken antibiotics, you’ve probably experienced the discomfort of diarrhea or a runaway yeast infection—the impact of the temporary disruption of the normal bacteria in your body. When you kill off the normal beneficial bacteria with antibiotics, less desirable bacteria and yeast can grow.

  So what happens when you use antibacterial cleaners? The usual sea of microbes in the environment is temporarily disrupted. You kill the weakest germs, giving the survivors free reign to multiply and fill the void. If those stronger germs are pathogenic (the type that cause disease), you’ve just enabled more toxic germs to inhabit the area you’ve cleaned. So, by killing the good germs and allowing the bad germs to flourish, you are exposed to more (and stronger), not fewer, germs and sicknesses.

  Instead of using antibacterial products for routine cleanup, use soap and water. To disinfect areas contaminated during a serious illness, try a solution of chlorine bleach in water (about 1/4 cup of household bleach to 1 gallon of water). This mild solution is also perfect for cleaning up spills and disinfecting laundry. (Before using the solution, test a small area to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric or surface you’re going to apply it to, and make sure to let the fumes dissipate before allowing children back into the area.)

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• QWhat is Bactroban cream?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Bactroban cream is a prescription antibiotic cream used to treat impetigo and other bacterial infections of the skin caused by susceptible bacteria. The active ingredient is the antibiotic mupirocin. The cream is applied topically to the skin, and kills or inhibits bacteria by interfering with bacterial protein production.  Bactroban cream is effective against strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus and against Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.
  
  
• QWhat should I know about Bactroban cream before using it?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Before using Bactroban (mupirocin) cream, you should know that this medication is not usually used to treat large, open wounds or burns. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before using Bactroban cream. This is classified by the FDA as Pregnancy Category B. There are no human studies on the effects of mupirocin on pregnancy. It is not known if the Bactroban cream (which contains mupirocin) is passed to a nursing infant through breast milk. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, talk with your doctor about possible risks before using Bactroban cream. When using the cream, you should avoid getting it on your lips or in your eyes, nose or mouth. Wash the area with water if Bactroban cream does come in contact with any unintended area. Use the cream for the full length of time your doctor prescribes. However, if your skin condition becomes worse or does not get better in five days, talk to your doctor.
  
  
• QWhat are the side effects of Bactroban cream?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Side effects are not common with Bactroban (mupirocin) cream, but they can occur. Talk with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms and they are ongoing or troublesome: headaches, nausea, burning, stinging, redness, rashes, pain, swelling or itching. In rare cases, Bactroban cream may cause dizziness, mouth or lip sores, secondary infection of wounds or abdominal pain. Talk with your doctor if any of these symptoms occur and are ongoing or troublesome. Contact your doctor right away if you experience severe itching or irritation or any of the following symptoms of allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue; chest tightness; breathing problems; itching; rash; or hives.
  
  
• QHow does Bactroban cream interact with other medications or foods?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Currently there are no known interactions between Bactroban (mupirocin) cream and other medications or foods. However, you should always keep a complete list of all medications, vitamins and supplements you use, and discuss them with your doctor before using any new medications. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are using any other antibiotics or topical skin preparations, including chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin).
  
  
• QWho should not use Bactroban cream?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  People who are allergic to any of the ingredients in Bactroban (mupirocin) cream should not use the medication. The ingredients are as follows: mupirocin, benzyl alcohol, cetomacrogol 1000, cetyl alcohol, mineral oil, phenoxyethanol, purified water, stearyl alcohol and xanthan gum. Bactroban cream has not been proven safe or effective for children under three months of age, and should generally not be used on children so young.
  
  
• QWhat is Bactroban Nasal?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Bactroban Nasal is Bactroban ointment formulated and packaged specifically for use in the opening of the nose (the nares) to eliminate bacterial colonization there. Specifically, when applied to the nares, Bactroban Nasal kills MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria that colonize the area. MRSA can colonize, or grow and multiply without causing pathology (infection), in the nares from which it spreads to other tissues where it can cause serious infection. Thus, there is the need to eliminate MRSA colonization. The active ingredient in the ointment is the antibiotic mupirocin, which kills bacteria by interfering with the production of certain proteins in the bacterial cells.
  
  
• QWhat should I know about Bactroban Nasal before using it?

  1 Answer

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Before using Bactroban Nasal (mupirocin), you should know that the medication is for use inside the nose only. Be sure to keep the ointment out of your eyes and mouth. Before using Bactroban Nasal, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about possible risks before using Bactroban Nasal. Researchers have not yet proven the safety of Bactroban Nasal for children under 12 years of age. Use the ointment for the full length of time your doctor prescribes, even if the infection seems to have cleared up. Using the medication for less than the prescribed length of time may cause the bacteria to become resistant to the medication. On the other hand, using Bactroban Nasal repeatedly or for long periods of time can cause another infection. Your doctor may need to change your medication, if you experience a second infection.
  
  
• QWhat are the side effects of Bactroban Nasal?

  1 Answer

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Bactroban Nasal may cause side effects, such as headache, runny or stuffy nose, stinging or burning inside the nose, unusual taste in the mouth, sore throat, or itching. Talk with your doctor right away if you experience ear pain, coughing, chest congestion, or severe itching, or irritation. Also, talk with your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue; chest tightness; breathing problems; rash; or hives.