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Key takeaways
Mupirocin is a generic prescription medication used to treat certain types of skin infections.
Without insurance, the average cost of mupirocin is over $70 for one tube of ointment.
Fortunately, there are several ways to lower the cost of a mupirocin prescription, such as using a SingleCare prescription discount card, shopping around at different pharmacies, and discussing lower-cost alternatives with a healthcare provider.
Mupirocin—also known as its brand-name counterpart Centany—is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of skin infections, such as impetigo. It is a topical drug that comes in both ointment and cream forms. Each dosage form has its own costs, but the average retail price of mupirocin ointment is $77 for 1, 22 gm of 2% tube of ointment. While there aren’t many over-the-counter alternatives, there are other ways to make a mupirocin prescription less expensive.
Save up to 80% on Mupirocin with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
RELATED: What is mupirocin?
How much does mupirocin cost without insurance?
The average price of mupirocin without insurance is $77 for 1, 22 gm of 2% tube of ointment. However, the costs vary depending on the pharmacy and location. Mupirocin is used as a short-term treatment for bacterial skin infections and is usually prescribed for about 10 days. Therefore, one tube will last the entirety of your treatment.
If the cost of mupirocin is prohibitive, talk to your healthcare provider about lower-cost alternatives. They can provide medical advice regarding which alternatives are right for you. Examples include Neosporin (bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin B), Altabax (retapamulin), and Garamycin (gentamicin).
How much does brand-name mupirocin cost?
As mentioned above, the brand-name version of mupirocin is Centany. Mupirocin was also available as the brand-name drug Bactroban. However, this version was discontinued in the United States. The cost of the brand-name version varies widely, but keep in mind that brand-name drugs typically cost more than their generic counterparts.
Compare mupirocin prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Mupirocin | $77 for 1, 22 gm of 2% tube of ointment | $7 per 1, 22 gm of 2% tube of ointment of generic mupirocin | See latest prices |
| Neosporin (bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin B) | $14 per 1, 14.2 gm tube of ointment | $10 per 1, 28 gm tube of ointment of brand-name Neosporin | See latest prices |
| SSD (silver sulfadiazine) | $72 for 1, 50 gm of 1% jar | $9 for 1, 50 gm jar of generic SSD | See latest prices |
| Bacitracin | $15 for 1, 28.4 gm tube of ointment | $11 for 1, 28.4 gm tube of ointment of generic bacitracin | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the “Savings options” link to see the latest drug prices.
Mupirocin costs by dose
The price of mupirocin can also vary depending on the quantity of the medication. The following table highlights the mupirocin prices by quantity.
Compare mupirocin prices by quantity |
|
|---|---|
| Strength | SingleCare price of mupirocin |
| 15 gm of 2% mupirocin ointment | $5 |
| 22 gm of 2% mupirocin ointment | $7 |
Is mupirocin covered by insurance?
Mupirocin is typically covered by most commercial and Medicare insurance plans, but insurance coverage varies by plan. In some cases, your plan may require a prior authorization or step therapy before covering mupirocin. Ask your health insurance provider if mupirocin is on their drug formulary and what steps are needed to get mupirocin covered under your plan.
How to get mupirocin without insurance
Paying for prescription medications without insurance can be costly. Mupirocin is no exception. Luckily, there are several ways to lower the price of a mupirocin prescription, even if you don’t have insurance. Because mupirocin is a generic medication, manufacturer-sponsored coupons and patient assistance programs usually aren’t available. Here are a few other ways to save money on mupirocin:
1. Use a SingleCare prescription discount card
A SingleCare prescription savings card can save you up to 80% on your medications. It’s free to sign up, and you can use the coupon at any participating pharmacy nationwide. A SingleCare mupirocin coupon can lower the price from $77 to $7 for 1, 22 gm tube of 2% ointment.
2. Ask a healthcare provider about lower-cost alternatives
There are several alternatives to mupirocin, including OTC products. Ask your healthcare provider which alternatives would work for you. Each drug comes with its own side effects, risks, drug interactions, and warnings; therefore, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before switching to another medication.
3. Compare prices at different pharmacies
The cost of a medication can vary depending on the pharmacy. To find the best price, shop around at your local independent, chain, community, and mail-order pharmacies.
- Mupirocin cream full prescribing information, DailyMed (2020)
- Mupirocin ointment full prescribing information, DailyMed (2025)