Centany is available as an ointment. However, mupirocin is also available as a cream in generic form.
What Is Centany Used For?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Centany to treat impetigo and other skin infections caused by certain bacteria. Centany does not treat viral or fungal infections.
Brand Name(s): Centany, Bactroban
Drug Availability: Prescription
Active Ingredient: Mupirocin
Therapeutic Classification: Antibacterial
Available Generically: Yes
Controlled Substance: N/A
Administration Route: Topical
Dosage Form(s): Ointment, cream
Centany contains mupirocin in an ointment form. Mupirocin is also available in a topical cream form.
How to Use Centany
If you are prescribed Centany, read the prescription label and the information leaflet that comes with your prescription. Consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
Use Centany exactly as directed by your healthcare provider, and do not skip doses.
The following are general instructions for using the ointment:
Wash your hands before applying. Clean and dry the affected area where you will apply the ointment. Apply a small amount with cotton or gauze. Do not use Centany on large areas of skin. Centany is for use topically on the skin. Do not put it in your mouth. If any ointment gets into the eyes, nose, or mouth, rinse immediately with water. You may cover the treated skin with a sterile gauze pad. Do not use a bandage or wrap (unless directed by your healthcare provider). Wash your hands after applying.
Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen or do not improve within five days. Even if your symptoms improve, do not skip doses. Continue to use Centany for the entire length of time prescribed. This ensures your infection will clear and helps prevent antibiotic resistance.
Storage
Store Centany at room temperature, away from direct light, heat, and moisture. Keep Centany out of reach of children and pets.
Off-Label Uses
Sometimes Centany is used off-label for indications that are not FDA approved.
Some examples where healthcare providers may prescribe mupirocin off-label include:
To treat infected eczema due to certain bacteria To treat folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles) due to certain bacteria To prevent bacterial infections or colonization in a health care setting (for this indication, mupirocin is administered into the nostrils)
What Are the Side Effects of Centany?
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Like other medications, Centany can cause side effects. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience while taking this medication.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects of Centany are:
Local reactions such as burning, itching, stinging, and painNauseaHeadache
Severe Side Effects
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis: Symptoms can include rash, hives, swelling around the lips, tongue, and face, and difficulty breathing. An allergic reaction requires medical attention. Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea: Antibiotics, in general, are known for causing this type of diarrhea, which can range from mild to life-threatening and cause death if untreated. Be alert to symptoms of severe, watery, or bloody diarrhea and stomach cramps. Notify your healthcare provider right away. This type of diarrhea can occur up to two or more months after using antibiotics. Superinfection: Superinfection is a secondary infection that occurs after the first infection, such as a fungal infection. This is more likely to occur with prolonged Centany use. However, prolonged use of Centany is not recommended for this reason.
Long-Term Side Effects
Although generally well tolerated and only used for a short time, long-term or delayed side effects are possible. Some long-term side effects can be mild, such as:
Cough Dry skin Infection Nosebleeds Sore throat
Moderate and severe long-term side effects can include:
C. difficile-associated diarrhea Contact dermatitis (itchy skin rash) Superinfection Swelling and sores in the mouth
Dosage: How Much Centany Should I Use?
Modifications
Due to the lack of data, pregnant people should only use Centany if necessary. The prescribing information also recommends that breastfeeding people should use Centany with caution.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For topical dosage form (cream): For treatment of secondarily infected traumatic skin lesions: Adults and children 3 months of age and older—Apply three times a day for 10 days. Children younger than 3 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For topical dosage form (ointment): For treatment of impetigo: Adults and children 2 months of age and older—Apply three times a day. Children younger than 2 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, apply Centany as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use extra Centany to try to make up for a missed dose.
Overdose: What Happens If I Use Too Much Centany?
Using too much Centany is not expected to result in life-threatening side effects. Avoid using more than prescribed to prevent any application site reactions. Do not ingest the ointment; keep it away from pets or children to prevent accidental ingestion.
Precautions
What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Use Centany?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to mupirocin or any inactive ingredient in Centany. Other people who should not use Centany include those with open wounds, burns (especially extensive ones), or other damaged skin.
If someone collapses or isn’t breathing after using Centany, call 911 immediately.
This medicine may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
Check with your doctor right away if you have a severe itching, skin rash, burning, stinging, redness, swelling, or irritation on the skin.
Centany may be prescribed with caution in some people only if the healthcare provider determines it is safe. This includes people with moderate to severe kidney problems.
What Other Medications May Interact With Centany?
There are no significant known drug interactions with Centany.
Share any medication allergies with your healthcare provider and tell them what prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements you take.
What Medications Are Similar?
Centany contains mupirocin in an ointment form. Mupirocin is also available as a cream.
Centany is used topically on the skin to treat impetigo. Altabax (retapamulin) is another ointment also prescribed to treat impetigo.
In some cases, a healthcare provider may also need to prescribe an oral antibiotic (an antibiotic taken by mouth), such as amoxicillin, to treat impetigo.
This list is a list of drugs also used for impetigo or skin infections. It is NOT a list of drugs recommended to take with Centany. Discuss any questions or concerns with your pharmacist or a healthcare provider.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Centany?
Impetigo is most common in children 2 to 5 years of age but can also occur in adults.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here are some tips you can follow if you or your child has impetigo:
Keep impetigo sores covered to help prevent spreading the bacteria. If you also have scabies (a condition caused by a mite), your healthcare provider will treat that as well, which will help to prevent impetigo. Anytime you have a minor cut, blister, or scrape, wash it with soap and water. Clean and cover an open or draining wound with bandages until it is healed. Visit your healthcare provider for any deep or serious wounds or puncture wounds. Avoid hot tubs, swimming pools, and other bodies of water if you have an open wound or infection. Practice good personal hygiene. Wash your body and hair frequently in the shower. Wash your hands thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds) and often, especially after sneezing or coughing. If someone in the house has impetigo, wash clothes and other personal items, such as sheets, washcloths, and towels, daily. These items should not be shared. Use topical and/or oral antibiotics as prescribed. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for use and complete the full course of treatment.
