[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Topical antibacterials](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/topical-antibacterials/) › Bacitracin

# Bacitracin

## Topical antibacterials?

Topical antibacterials

A polypeptide antibiotic ointment that helps keep minor cuts, scrapes and burns from becoming infected; injected forms harm the kidneys.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: bacitracin zinc

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Topical antibacterials](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/topical-antibacterials/)

**Target**
Bacterial cell-wall synthesis (the lipid carrier that moves wall building blocks)

**Used for**
Prevention of infection in minor cuts

**Key effects**
Itching or rash where applied · Contact allergy

**Monitor**
Healing of the wound · Rash

**ATC**
D06AX05

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

◆**Bacterial cell-wall synthesis (the lipid carrier that moves wall building blocks)**Bacitracin

ⓘ The figure shows bacitracin holding zinc and geranyl pyrophosphate, a short stand-in for the bacterial lipid carrier it traps; it is not a human protein.

**Target in 3D:** Bacterial cell-wall synthesis (the lipid carrier that moves wall building blocks). PDB structure 4K7T (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/4K7T) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Bacitracin is a mixture of polypeptide antibiotics made by Bacillus subtilis, mainly bacitracin A. It blocks bacterial cell-wall synthesis by trapping the pyrophosphate lipid carrier that ferries wall building blocks across the membrane. It acts mostly on gram-positive cocci and bacilli; most gram-negative rods are resistant.

- Bacitracin binds the bacterial lipid carrier with zinc
- Carrier cannot be recycled for cell-wall building
- Cell wall stops growing
- Gram-positive bacteria on the skin stop multiplying

## Indications

- Prevention of infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns
- Superficial eye infections (ophthalmic ointment)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Itching or rash where applied
- Contact allergy (uncommon)

### Serious (rare, important)

- Allergic reactions: hives, swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing
- Kidney damage with injected (parenteral) bacitracin

## Contraindications

- Allergy to bacitracin or zinc
- Deep cuts, puncture wounds, animal bites, serious burns or large areas (these need medical care)

## Key interactions

**Combination ointments with neomycin and polymyxin B**
Broader antibacterial cover, but more contact allergy, especially to neomycin and bacitracin.

## What is monitored

- Healing of the wound; review if it is not better within a week
- Rash, itching or swelling at the site

## Administration and safety

- For the skin only: kept out of the eyes, nose and mouth and not swallowed (a separate ophthalmic form exists).
- A thin layer is applied to the cleaned wound; a sterile dressing may cover it.
- Not used in a child's diaper area unless a clinician advises it.
- The tube tip does not touch the skin or other surfaces.

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy or breastfeeding is mentioned to the clinician before use.

## Nursing care

- Clean the wound and check its depth: deep, punctured, bitten or burnt wounds need a clinician.
- Teach to stop the ointment and seek care for itching, rash, hives or trouble breathing.
- Teach to report a wound that is not improving or shows spreading redness, pus or fever.

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Used on the skin or eye; injected (parenteral) use damages the kidneys

## Memory aid

BACItracin BACks off on the skin only: injected, it Bashes the kidneys.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which bacterial process does bacitracin block?

Cell-wall synthesis, by trapping the lipid carrier of wall building blocks.

## Why is bacitracin now used almost only on the skin and eye?

Injected bacitracin is nephrotoxic.

## Which wounds should not be treated with bacitracin ointment alone?

Deep cuts, puncture wounds, animal bites, serious burns or wounds over large areas.

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## Connections

## Related drugs 2

- [Mupirocin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/mupirocin/)
- [Retapamulin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/retapamulin/)

[← Back to the class: Topical antibacterials](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/topical-antibacterials/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Bacitracin Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a614052.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2017); [RCSB PDB - 4K7T: Structure of the ternary complex of bacitracin, zinc, and geranyl-pyrophosphate](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/4K7T) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2013); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=D06AX05) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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