Skip to Content
Looking to save on your medications?  Find out how 

Bacitracin (Systemic)

Generic name: bacitracin systemic

Brand names: Baci-Rx, BACiiM

Boxed Warning

Nephrotoxicity:

Bacitracin in parenteral (IM) therapy may cause renal failure due to tubular and glomerular necrosis. Its use should be restricted to infants with staphylococcal pneumonia and empyema when due to organisms shown to be susceptible to bacitracin. It should be used only where adequate laboratory facilities are available and when constant supervision of the patient is possible.

Renal function should be carefully determined prior to and daily during therapy. The recommended daily dose should not be exceeded, and fluid intake and urinary output should be maintained at proper levels to avoid kidney toxicity. If renal toxicity occurs the drug should be discontinued. The concurrent use of other nephrotoxic drugs, particularly streptomycin, kanamycin, polymyxin B, polymyxin E (colistin), and neomycin should be avoided.

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product

Solution Reconstituted, Intramuscular:

BACiiM: 50,000 units (1 ea)

Generic: 50,000 units (1 ea [DSC])

Solution Reconstituted, Intramuscular [preservative free]:

BACiiM: 50,000 units (1 ea [DSC])

Generic: 50,000 units (1 ea)

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by preventing transfer of mucopeptides into the growing cell wall

Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics

Absorption

Rapidly following IM administration

Distribution

Widely distributed in all body organs and is demonstrable in ascitic and pleural fluids after IM injection

Excretion

Urine

Use: Labeled Indications

Pneumonia and empyema: Treatment of pneumonia and empyema in infants caused by susceptible staphylococci; due to toxicity risks, systemic uses of bacitracin should be limited to situations where less toxic alternatives would not be effective

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to bacitracin or any component of the formulation

Dosage and Administration

Dosing: Pediatric

Note: In February 2020, the FDA requested that all current manufacturers of bacitracin for injection voluntarily withdraw their product from the market because other effective FDA-approved treatments are available that do not have the same serious risks as bacitracin, including nephrotoxicity, anaphylactic reactions, and the need for repeated IM injections. This requested voluntary withdrawal does not impact approved topical or ophthalmic drugs that contain bacitracin. Further information may be found at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requests-withdrawal-bacitracin-injection-market.

Pneumonia and empyema; staphylococcal: Note: Due to toxicity risks, systemic use of bacitracin should be limited to situations where less toxic alternatives would not be effective; systemic use in pediatric patients is rare. Do not administer IV:

Infants: IM:

≤2.5 kg: 900 units/kg/day in 2 to 3 divided doses.

>2.5 kg: 1,000 units/kg/day in 2 to 3 divided doses.

Storage

Solution for injection (IM use only): Store unreconstituted vials in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Once reconstituted, bacitracin is stable for 1 week under refrigeration at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).

Drug Interactions

BCG (Intravesical): Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of BCG (Intravesical). Avoid combination

BCG Vaccine (Immunization): Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of BCG Vaccine (Immunization). Monitor therapy

Cholera Vaccine: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Cholera Vaccine. Management: Avoid cholera vaccine in patients receiving systemic antibiotics, and within 14 days following the use of oral or parenteral antibiotics. Avoid combination

Colistimethate: May enhance the nephrotoxic effect of Bacitracin (Systemic). Avoid combination

Lactobacillus and Estriol: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Lactobacillus and Estriol. Monitor therapy

Neomycin: May enhance the nephrotoxic effect of Bacitracin (Systemic). Avoid combination

Neuromuscular-Blocking Agents: Bacitracin (Systemic) may enhance the neuromuscular-blocking effect of Neuromuscular-Blocking Agents. Monitor therapy

Polymyxin B: May enhance the nephrotoxic effect of Bacitracin (Systemic). Avoid combination

Sodium Picosulfate: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Sodium Picosulfate. Management: Consider using an alternative product for bowel cleansing prior to a colonoscopy in patients who have recently used or are concurrently using an antibiotic. Consider therapy modification

Streptomycin: May enhance the nephrotoxic effect of Bacitracin (Systemic). Avoid combination

Adverse Reactions

Frequency not defined.

Dermatologic: Skin rash

Endocrine & metabolic: Albuminuria

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting

Genitourinary: Azotemia, casts in urine, nephrotoxicity

Local: Pain at injection site

Renal: Renal failure

Postmarketing and/or case reports: Anaphylaxis (intraoperative exposure [Damm, 2011])

Warnings/Precautions

Concerns related to adverse effects:

  • Anaphylaxis: Use with caution in patients who have been previously exposed to bacitracin; anaphylactic reactions have occurred on repeat exposure especially with irrigation use (Damm 2011; Elsner 1990; Farley 1995).
  • Renal failure: [US Boxed Warning]: IM use may cause renal failure due to tubular and glomerular necrosis; monitor renal function daily. Avoid concurrent use with other nephrotoxic drugs; discontinue use if toxicity occurs; maintain adequate fluid intake and urine output throughout therapy. Do not exceed recommended doses.
  • Superinfection: Prolonged use may result in fungal or bacterial superinfection, including C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) and pseudomembranous colitis; CDAD has been observed >2 months postantibiotic treatment.

Other warnings/precautions:

  • Appropriate use: Do not administer intravenously because severe thrombophlebitis occurs.
  • Monitoring: Should only be used when adequate laboratory facilities are available and constant patient supervision is available.

Monitoring Parameters

IM: Urinalysis, renal function tests, urine output

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Considerations

This product is not indicated for use in women of reproductive age.

Patient Education

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to treat infections.

Frequently reported side effects of this drug

  • Injection site pain

Other side effects of this drug: Talk with your doctor right away if you have any of these signs of:

  • Kidney problems like unable to pass urine, blood in the urine, change in amount of urine passed, or weight gain
  • Clostridium difficile (C. diff)-associated diarrhea like abdominal pain or cramps, severe diarrhea or watery stools, or bloody stools
  • Severe nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Signs of a significant reaction like wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Source: Wolters Kluwer Health. Last updated February 6, 2020.