2. Topical antibiotics.

Ointment	Trade name, availability	Mode of activity	Range of activity	Main use	Side effects/additional considerations
Mupirocin	Bactroban	Inhibitor of bacterial protein synthesis	Gram‐positive organisms, especially Staphylococcus aureus	Impetigo, elimination of S aureus from anterior nares	Anaphylaxis reported
Bacitracin	Ingredient of triple antibiotic ointment	Interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis	Gram‐positive organisms	Impetigo, furunculosis, pyodermas	Cross‐sensitisation with neomycin
Polymixin B	Available singly, combined with bacitracin or in triple antibiotic ointment	Disrupts bacterial cell membrane and increases cell permeability	Gram‐negative organisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterbacter species and Escherichia coli	Bacterial conjunctivitis	Limited spectrum of activity
Neomycin	Available alone, or as ingredient of triple antibiotic ointment	Interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis	Aerobic Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacilli	Prevention of infection in superficial abrasions, cuts or burns	Allergic contact dermatitis
Polymixin B, neomycin and bacitracin	Triple antibiotic ointment	Combination of mechanisms	Range of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative organisms	Prevention of infection in superficial abrasions, cuts or burns	Allergic contact dermatitis
Erythromycin	Eryacne	Inhibitor of bacterial protein synthesis	Gram‐positive cocci	Acne	Low incidence of sensitisation
Chloramphenicol	Chlormycetin or Chlorsig	Disrupts bacterial cell membrane	Wide range of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative organisms	Bacterial conjunctivitis	Aplastic anaemia