Using bacitracin can help keep minor skin wounds like burns, scratches, and cuts from becoming infected. The drug bacitracin belongs to the group of drugs known as antibiotics. Bacitracin acts by preventing bacterial development.

Bacitracin is available as a skin-applying ointment. Typically, it is utilised once to three times per day. It is possible to buy bacitracin ointment over the counter. However, in order to use this drug for your specific medical issue, your doctor might provide you specific instructions. Pay close attention to the instructions on the label or those your doctor provides you, and ask them to clarify any parts you do not understand. As advised, use bacitracin exactly. Use only as directed by your doctor or as directed on the package. Do not use more, less, or more frequently than directed.

Only the skin should be used to apply this medication. Avoid getting bacitracin in your mouth, nose, or eyes, and avoid swallowing it.

Minor skin injuries can be treated with bacitracin. This drug should not be used to treat severe burns, deep cuts, puncture wounds, animal attacks, or wounds that cover a significant portion of your body. If you suffer these kinds of injuries, you should call your doctor or seek immediate medical attention. Perhaps a different approach is required. If you use this drug to treat a minor skin injury and your symptoms do not subside within a week, you should stop using it and contact your doctor.

Unless specifically instructed to do so by a doctor, avoid applying this medication to a child’s diaper area, especially if the skin surface is broken or raw. Use neither plastic pants nor tightly fitting diapers if you are instructed to apply it to a child’s diaper region.

Follow these instructions to apply the ointment:

1. Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands. Using a clean towel, completely dry the wounded area after washing it with soap and water.
2. To treat the skin injury, apply a small amount of the ointment (about the size of your fingertip). All that is required is a thin coating. Never touch the tube’s tip to your hands, skin, or any other surface.
3. Immediately replace and tighten the cap.
4. You could apply a sterile bandage to the damaged region.
5. Rewash your hands.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using bacitracin,

• If you have any allergies, including to bacitracin, zinc, other medicines, or any of the chemicals in bacitracin ointment, notify your doctor right away.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you get pregnant while taking Bacitracin.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

As soon as you realise you missed a dose, administer it. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. Applying a second dose to make up for a missed one is not advised.

Bacitracin could have negative effects. Stop using the bacitracin ointment and seek emergency medical attention if you suffer any of the following symptoms:

• Itching
• Rash
• Hives
• Breathing or swallowing challenges

Other negative effects of bacitracin are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Keep all appointments with your doctor if you have been prescribed this medication by your doctor. After using this medicine as prescribed, contact your doctor if you continue to experience infection-related symptoms.

All inquiries regarding bacitracin ointment should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.