Drug reference

bacitracin

Polypeptide Antibiotic · Antibacterial (Topical)

Polypeptide AntibioticAntibacterial (Topical)ATC null

CDSCO approved

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

12 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

FDA category + note

Top interactionssee all 12 →

AmikacinSevereDatabaseDDInter
CidofovirSevereDatabaseDDInter
DeferasiroxSevereDatabaseDDInter
DiatrizoateSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Bacitracin inhibits the synthesis of the cell wall.

Indications

conjunctivitisblepharitiskeratitiskeratoconjunctivitisblepharoconjunctivitismeibomianitisdacryocystitisinfected wounds (topical)ulcers (topical)eye infections (topical, generally in combination with neomycin, polymyxin)

Contraindications

parenteral administration (due to high toxicity to the kidney)
furunculosis
boils
carbuncles (does not penetrate intact skin)

Side effects

Serious

high toxicity (especially to the kidney, if given parenterally)

Pregnancy & lactation

Pregnancy

Drug interactions

Amikacin

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Cidofovir

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Deferasirox

Severe

Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Diatrizoate

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Everolimus

Severe

Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Gentamicin

Severe

Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Human Cytomegalovirus Immune Globulin

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Inotersen

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Iodipamide

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Iodixanol

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Iohexol

Severe

Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Iopamidol

Severe

Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Related guidelines

Skin and soft tissue infections

IDSA · Infectious Diseases · 2010

Plaque psoriasis

IADVL · Dermatology · 2022

Acute dental pain and intraoral swelling

ADA_DENTAL · Dentistry · 2019

Infective endocarditis prevention

ADA_DENTAL · Dentistry · 2015

Urinary tract infection

EAU · Urology · 2024

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Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team