Stability of mupirocin ointment (Bactroban) admixed with other proprietary dermatological products

This study involved the mixing of 1:1 combinations of Bactroban (mupirocin) Ointment 2% with various cream, lotion, ointment, gel, solution and liquid soap formulations with storage at 37 degrees C for 60 days. The mixtures were assayed for mupirocin content at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days using a high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay. At the time of preparation of these admixtures, Bactroban Ointment is chemically and physically compatible with all of the topical dermatological products studied except for Valisone lotion where a physical incompatibility is immediately observed. Admixtures of Hibiclens liquid soap or Lotrimin solution with Bactroban Ointment were stable throughout the entire 60-day study. Combinations of Lotrimin cream, Hytone cream, Valisone ointment or Vytone cream with Bactroban Ointment also retained chemical stability of mupirocin for the entire period even though two layers were observed and mixing was required to restore a physically homogenous mixture. Other Bactroban Ointment admixtures were found to be either chemically stable for mupirocin for periods less than 60 days or physically incompatible mixtures were observed upon storage. No conclusions were drawn from these studies concerning the efficacy or safety of any of these products when used in extemporaneously prepared combinations.