The product of a variety of Gram-positive bacteria associated with skin infections especially staphylococcus and streptococcus highly sensitive to resistant Staphylococcus aureus is also effective. Certain Gram-negative bacteria have some antibacterial effect.With no cross-resistance to other antibiotics.

Infections of skin and soft tissue caused by Gram-positive cocci, such as impetigo, boils, folliculitis primary infection and eczema, dermatitis, ulcers, and other skin trauma secondary infection.

Mupirocin is used as a topical treatment for bacterial skin infections, for example, furuncle, impetigo, open wounds, which are typically due to infection by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. It is also useful in the treatment of superficial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.Mupirocin is inactive for most anaerobic bacteria, mycobacteria, mycoplasma, chlamydia, yeast and fungi.

Intranasal mupirocin before surgery is effective for prevention of post-operative wound infection with Staphylcoccus aureus and preventative intranasal or catheter-site treatment is effective for reducing the risk of catheter site infection in persons treated with chronic peritoneal dialysis.