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Bacitracin is a polypeptide antibacterial active mainly against gram-positive bacteria. In current U.S. human use, bacitracin appears in topical first-aid ointments and certain ophthalmic combination products. Bacitracin for injection was withdrawn from the U.S. market after federal regulators concluded that kidney toxicity and severe allergic reactions outweighed the benefits of its former approved use.
read more about bacitracin ...Bacitracin binds to a lipid carrier used during bacterial cell wall production and prevents that carrier from being recycled. This interrupts movement of peptidoglycan building blocks across the cell membrane and disrupts cell wall synthesis. The antibacterial activity is strongest against susceptible gram-positive organisms, including selected staphylococci and streptococci.
Current human products include over-the-counter bacitracin zinc ointments used for first aid on minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Bacitracin also appears in certain prescription ophthalmic combination ointments with other antibacterials. Injectable bacitracin products are no longer marketed in the United States after withdrawal of their approvals following federal safety review.
In 2020, FDA requested voluntary withdrawal of bacitracin for injection after reviewing its benefit-risk profile. The injection carried serious risks of nephrotoxicity and anaphylactic reactions, and other FDA-approved treatments existed for the former infant pneumonia and empyema indication. Manufacturers withdrew the injectable products from the U.S. market.
Topical bacitracin can trigger rash, allergic contact dermatitis, or other hypersensitivity reactions. Current over-the-counter ointment labels restrict use in the eyes, over large body areas, or longer than one week unless directed by a doctor. Historical injectable bacitracin carried serious kidney toxicity and anaphylaxis risks that led to withdrawal from the U.S. market.
Yes. Bacitracin remains in topical first-aid products and certain prescription ophthalmic combination products in the United States.
No. Injectable bacitracin products were withdrawn from the U.S. market after federal review concluded that serious safety risks outweighed the former clinical use.
Bacitracin is a polypeptide antibacterial that interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis and acts mainly against susceptible gram-positive organisms.
Bacitracin zinc is the zinc salt of bacitracin and is the active form found in numerous topical first-aid ointments.
Bacitracin Topical. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a614052.html. Date Accessed September 15, 2026.
Bacitracin Topical. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536993/. Date Accessed September 15, 2026.
DailyMed - BACITRACIN ZINC - First Aid Antibiotic Ointment. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7f4bff4f-588d-4e45-8aa3-f95b4d746f25. Date Accessed September 15, 2026.
DailyMed - NEOMYCIN AND POLYMYXIN B SULFATES AND BACITRACIN ZINC Ophthalmic Ointment. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0f651b47-ef7e-4d07-b3b1-8baade8b9031. Date Accessed September 15, 2026.
Xellia Pharmaceuticals USA, LLC; Withdrawal of Approval of an Abbreviated New Drug Application for Bacitracin for Injection. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-14680.pdf. Date Accessed September 15, 2026.