Bacitracin Topical

Bacitracin Topical is an antibiotic product applied to the skin as first aid to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns.

Brand names BaciguentBacitracin ZincFirst Aid AntibioticSingle Antibiotic with bacitracinVitastem Ultra Topical Antibiotic +11 more
Drug class ⓘ Decreased Cell Wall Synthesis & Repair
Rx/OTC Forms 4 Routes Topical · Ophthalmic
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 1, 2026

Built from the FDA-approved label, dated Nov 12, 2024 · How this page is built

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 2, 2026
Other forms & routes:
⭐ Bacitracin Topical at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Bottom LineWritten from the FDA label in plain language · reviewed by
Bacitracin Topical is a first aid product to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns. Use it only on the skin, in small amounts, and for no longer than 1 week unless a doctor directs otherwise. Stop and get advice if you develop a rash or the problem gets worse.
How you get itPrescription and over the counter
Comes asTopical cream, ointment or gel, Topical spray, Eye ointment +1
On the market since1991
Companies that make it102
FDA label last updatedNov 12, 2024
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

⚡ Quick answers about Bacitracin Topical

What is this ointment for?

It is first aid to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. One cream product also has directions for athlete's foot, ringworm and jock itch.

See it in the FAQ →

How do I apply it?

Clean the area, then put on a small amount, about the size of your fingertip. Do this 1 to 3 times a day, and you can cover it with a sterile bandage.

Read the full answer →

How long can I use it?

Not longer than 1 week unless a doctor tells you to. If the problem is not getting better or gets worse, stop and check with a doctor.

See it in the FAQ →

When should I stop using it?

Stop if you get a rash or any allergic reaction, and talk to a doctor. Don't use it if you are allergic to any ingredient.

See it in the FAQ →
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 99 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

How we combine label and product data →

📖 Bacitracin Topical: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Bacitracin Topical — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

What Bacitracin Topical is used for

▾

Bacitracin Topical is used on the skin for the following:

  • First aid to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
  • One cream product's directions also cover athlete's foot, ringworm and jock itch. This applies only to that product.

How Bacitracin Topical is taken (dosage)

▾

Clean the area first. For the ointment-style directions, apply a small amount (about a fingertip's worth) 1 to 3 times daily. You may cover it with a sterile bandage.

  • One cream product is applied as a thin layer twice daily, morning and night, on a clean, dry area.
  • For that cream, athlete's foot and ringworm are treated daily for 4 weeks, and jock itch for 2 weeks.
  • Do not use longer than 1 week unless a doctor directs you to.

Follow your prescriber's advice and the product label.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Bacitracin Topical prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

Read the label’s full dosing text

dosage and administration Clean the affected area and dry thoroughly Apply a thin layer of the cream over affected area twice daily (morning and night) or as directed by a doctor Supervise children in the use of this product For athlete's foot: Pay special attention to spaces between the toes; wear well-fitting, ventilated shoes, and change shoes and socks at least once daily For athlete's foot and ringworm, use daily for 4 weeks For jock itch, use daily for 2 weeks If condition persists longer, consult a doctor This product is not effective on the scalp or nails

Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Bacitracin Topical side effects in detail

▾

The label does not list specific common side effects. Watch for skin reactions.

  • A rash or allergic reaction means you should stop use and ask a doctor.

If the condition persists or gets worse, stop and ask a doctor.

Bacitracin Topical warnings and precautions

▾
  • For external use only. Do not use in the eyes.
  • Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredient, because of the possibility of anaphylactic shock.
  • Do not use over large areas of the body.
  • Do not use longer than 1 week unless directed by a doctor.
  • Ask a doctor first for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns.
  • If swallowed, get medical help or contact Poison Control right away.

Before taking Bacitracin Topical

▾
  • Check ingredients first if you have allergies. Inactive ingredients in one cream include lanolin and paraffins.
  • Ask a doctor before use on deep or puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns.
  • Supervise children using the cream product.
  • Keep out of reach of children.

Bacitracin Topical overdose: if you take too much

▾

If the product is swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Centre right away.

How to store Bacitracin Topical

▾

Store at room temperature 59°F - 77°F (15°C - 25°C) Before using any medication, read all label directions.

📄 Written from Bacitracin Topical’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

30

Supplements & herbs that interact with Bacitracin Topical

30 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Bacitracin Topical in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Moderate · 28
  • Minor · 2
Every supplement checked against Bacitracin Topical — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 28 moderate · 2 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Bacitracin Topical against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

7

Nutrient depletion considerations

Bacitracin Topical has been associated with lower levels of 7 nutrients in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

Evidence & significance mix
  • Higher significance · 6
  • Moderate · 1
See the full Bacitracin Topical nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

🩺 Bacitracin Topical: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Bacitracin Topical — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is this ointment for?

▾
It is first aid to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. One cream product also has directions for athlete's foot, ringworm and jock itch.

How do I apply it?

▾
Clean the area, then put on a small amount, about the size of your fingertip. Do this 1 to 3 times a day, and you can cover it with a sterile bandage. One cream product is used as a thin layer twice daily instead.

How long can I use it?

▾
Not longer than 1 week unless a doctor tells you to. If the problem is not getting better or gets worse, stop and check with a doctor.

When should I stop using it?

▾
Stop if you get a rash or any allergic reaction, and talk to a doctor. Don't use it if you are allergic to any ingredient.

Can I use it on a deep wound or bite?

▾
Ask a doctor first for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns. Also avoid the eyes and large areas of the body.

What if someone swallows it?

▾
It is for external use only. If it is swallowed, get medical help or contact Poison Control right away.

Is Bacitracin Topical available over the counter?

▾
Both — Bacitracin Topical is sold both over the counter and by prescription, according to its FDA labeling. Lower strengths or certain forms are often available without a prescription, while higher strengths or specialized forms still require one. Ask your pharmacist which version is right for you.

When was Bacitracin Topical first available?

▾
Bacitracin Topical has been available in the United States since at least 1991, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.

Who makes Bacitracin Topical?

▾
Bacitracin Topical is supplied by 102 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including A-S Medication Solutions, Trifecta Pharmaceuticals USA LLC, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc..

💬 Answers drafted from Bacitracin Topical’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 More about Bacitracin Topical on HelloPharmacist

💊 Bacitracin Topical forms and strengths (how it comes)

Bacitracin Topical is available in 4 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Topical cream, ointment or gel

On the skin
Brands Antibiotic Bacitracin Zinc CAREALL Bacitracin Drs. Antibiotic Bacitracin First Aid Antibiotic Lucky SuperSoft Major Bacitracin Major Bacitracin Zinc McKesson Bacitracin Zinc MediChoice Bacitracin Premier Value Bacitracin Zinc Single Antibiotic with Bacitracin Vitastem ULTRA Vitastem Ultra Topical Antibiotic
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Product labeling in this group lists first aid to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
  • One cream product's directions also cover athlete's foot, ringworm and jock itch.
Important instructions
  • One ointment-type product's directions: clean the area, apply a fingertip-sized amount 1 to 3 times daily, and cover with a sterile bandage if desired.
  • One cream product's directions: apply a thin layer twice daily to a clean, dry area.
  • One cream product: for athlete's foot and ringworm use daily for 4 weeks; for jock itch, 2 weeks.
  • One cream product is not effective on the scalp or nails.
Available strengths 13 strengths
Show 7 more strengths Show fewer strengths
221 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Topical spray

On the skin
Brands Vitastem Ultra Topical Antibiotic
Available strengths 1 strength
2 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Eye ointment

In the eye
Available strengths 1 strength
1 FDA-listed product record ⓘ

📊 Bacitracin Topical on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Bacitracin Topical appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

102 companies list 225 Bacitracin Topical product records with the FDA, mostly as topical cream, ointment or gel, topical spray, eye ointment; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1991. Brand names on the directory include Baciguent, Bacitracin Zinc, First Aid Antibiotic and 13 more; the rest are generics.

4
Dose forms ⓘ
102
Manufacturers
40
Brand names
225
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1991
First marketed ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

A-S Medication Solutions8%
Trifecta Pharmaceuticals USA LLC6%
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.5%
Rugby Laboratories4%
Major Pharmaceuticals4%
CVS Pharmacy3%
Other makers70%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Bacitracin Topical is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Bacitracin Topical is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Bacitracin Topical is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

231,283
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$2.4M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Bacitracin Topical prescribed? Of the 1,599 medications we measure, Bacitracin Topical ranks #371 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 77% of them.

Where Bacitracin Topical ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5

Utilization by Bacitracin Topical product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 0.5 units/mg topical ointment is the most-dispensed Bacitracin Topical product — about 71% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

bacitracin 0.5 UNT/MG Topical Ointment Most dispensed

164,743 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 71% of Bacitracin Topical prescriptions shown $1.7M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $10 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 9 of 68 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1648110

bacitracin zinc 0.5 UNT/MG Topical Ointment

66,540 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 29% of Bacitracin Topical prescriptions shown $700,589 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $11 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 10 of 133 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1366116

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Bacitracin Topical, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 19 of 201 listed Bacitracin Topical NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Bacitracin Topical products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Bacitracin Topical — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 200 of 225 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 225 Bacitracin Topical NDCs →

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Bacitracin Topical RxCUI 1291 3 dose forms · 4 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 370981 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 5000 UNT/ML RxCUI 562411
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Ophthalmic Ointment RxCUI 370983 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.5 UNT/MG RxCUI 308508
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Ointment RxCUI 370982 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) zinc 0.5 UNT/MG RxCUI 1366116 0.5 UNT/MG RxCUI 1648110

Look up RxCUI 1291 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

🏷️ Bacitracin Topical brand names

Bacitracin Topical is sold under 16 brand names in the FDA directory — Baciguent, Bacitracin Zinc, First Aid Antibiotic, Single Antibiotic with bacitracin and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Baciguent Bacitracin Zinc First Aid Antibiotic Single Antibiotic with bacitracin Vitastem Ultra Topical Antibiotic McKesson Bacitracin Zinc Major Bacitracin CAREALL Bacitracin MediChoice Bacitracin Drs. Antibiotic Bacitracin Vitastem ULTRA Premier Value Bacitracin Zinc Antibiotic Leader Bacitracin Zinc Lucky SuperSoft Major Bacitracin Zinc

🏭 Who makes Bacitracin Topical: manufacturers and labelers

40 companies list Bacitracin Topical products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are A-S Medication Solutions, Trifecta Pharmaceuticals USA LLC, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

A-S Medication Solutions 11 Trifecta Pharmaceuticals USA LLC 8 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 7 Rugby Laboratories 6 Major Pharmaceuticals 6 CVS Pharmacy 5 Strategic Sourcing Services LLC 5 New World Imports, Inc 4 Proficient Rx LP 4 Front Pharmaceutical Plc 4 Topco Associates LLC 4 Twin Med, Llc 4 Target Corporation 4 Native First Health, LLC 4 Henry Schein 4 Pharmacy Value Alliance LLC 4 Ol Pharma Tech, Llc 3 Trifecta Pharmaceuticals USA, LLC. 3 Dynarex Corporation 3 United Exchange Corp. 3 Shield Line LLC 3 Sion Biotext Medical Ltd 3 Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Inc 3 Chain Drug Marketing Association Inc. 3

…and 16 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Bacitracin Topical drug class (RxNorm)

Bacitracin Topical belongs to the Other antibiotics for topical use class.

Drug family (ATC) Other antibiotics for topical use, Other antibacterials, Antibiotics

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

🔬 Sources for this Bacitracin Topical page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Nov 12, 2024
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Bacitracin Topical.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Bacitracin Topical after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
99
NDC products indexed
225
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
102
Linked representative label ⓘ
Allied Trade Link Llc
Linked label effective
Nov 12, 2024
Composite sections available
8
Linked SPL Set ID
253e5b98-c64f-3226-e063-6294a90a9352
Linked SPL Document ID
26bc9435-0a77-5fac-e063-6394a90a930b
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗
NDC package records associated with this linked SPL 1

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 99 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Allied Trade Link Llc is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.