Paldar

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Paldar

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Mupirocin Calcium
Form Ointment or Cream
Pharmacological class Topical Antibacterial Agent (Antibiotic)
Common use Resolving bacterial skin infections
Origin Semisynthetic

What is Paldar and Its Pharmacological Identity?

Paldar is a prescription-only medicine that functions as a highly specific Topical Antibacterial Agent, formally classified within the antibiotic pharmacological class. Its primary active ingredient is Mupirocin Calcium, a salt form of the compound Mupirocin. This compound has a semisynthetic origin, being chemically derived from the naturally occurring Pseudomonic acid A substance, which is used for managing certain common skin pathogens.

Composition, Form, and General Purpose

Paldar is supplied as a topical preparation, typically formulated as an ointment or cream, intended for topical administration directly onto the skin. The standard composition includes the active ingredient Mupirocin Calcium dispersed within an appropriate base/vehicle, such as a polyethylene glycol base for the ointment formulation. The general purpose of this medicine is to provide potent bactericidal action against susceptible bacterial cells. It achieves this by acting as a highly specific protein synthesis inhibitor in bacteria, which effectively halts their ability to grow and repair itself. This targeted action is key to treating typical scenarios of bacterial infections of the skin, such as localized lesions, by eliminating the responsible pathogens.

Regulatory References

  1. Mupirocin - NIH National Library of Medicine
  2. Mupirocin Ointment - DailyMed (FDA)

What side effects are possible with Paldar?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Paldar (Mupirocin) is associated with an official safety profile that primarily focuses on reactions localized to the application site. These effects are classified in regulatory documents based on their frequency.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Classification Examples of Adverse Reactions (Local)
Common Burning or stinging sensation, localized pain.
Uncommon Pruritus (itching), erythema (redness), dryness, and localized rash or contact sensitivity.
Very Rare Systemic allergic reactions.

Adverse reactions that fall under Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders are the most frequently documented in official labeling. While the systemic absorption of Paldar is typically low, the official safety profile includes rare but serious events classified under Immune System Disorders. These serious reactions include angioedema and anaphylaxis, as reported in post-marketing surveillance.

Safety Constraints and Considerations

The label notes that the prolonged use of Paldar, consistent with other antibacterial agents, may result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi. Additionally, an important safety consideration applies to the ointment formulation due to its polyethylene glycol base.

Official documents state a specific restriction: the ointment should not be used in conditions allowing for the absorption of large amounts of the base, particularly when treating large areas of damaged skin in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment. The product is also restricted from use on mucosal surfaces or at central intravenous sites.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

Documented Overdose Profile

Official regulatory documents state there is limited experience with overdosage of the active ingredient, Mupirocin. Owing to the drug's low systemic toxicity, no specific clinical symptoms or signs of overdose are explicitly detailed in official labeling. The primary documented risk relates to the non-active component: the polyethylene glycol vehicle used in the ointment formulation. This potential for severe outcome arises only if large quantities of the topical preparation are erroneously swallowed. Such exposure may result in side effects on renal function or potential damage to the kidneys.


Required Emergency Actions and Monitoring

Individuals with pre-existing renal insufficiency (moderate or severe impairment) are the specific population identified for requiring special attention due to the polyethylene glycol vehicle following accidental oral intake. Immediate medical help must be sought in the event of this large-quantity ingestion. As no specific antidote is known for Mupirocin overdose, management is entirely supportive. Regulators require that symptomatic treatment should be given, and close monitoring of renal function is necessary for all susceptible patients who experience this type of accidental exposure.

Therapeutic Uses of Paldar

What Paldar Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Paldar is commonly used to help with acute, localized bacterial skin infections, providing symptomatic support where the skin is compromised. The active ingredient, Mupirocin, is applied to conditions such as impetigo, as well as infections in minor cuts and abrasions.

The medication helps address groups of symptoms that may appear suddenly, including pustules, blisters, crusted sores, and localized redness and tenderness. Paldar is considered relevant for easing the impact of acute bacterial colonization in both primary skin infections and secondarily infected dermatoses. This support assists with maintaining comfort during symptomatic phases and supports the natural recovery of the skin.

This topical treatment contributes to the management of infections that are localized and mild-to-moderate in intensity, focusing on pathogens like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.


Quick Fact: Support for Acute Skin Symptoms
Used for: Localized bacterial skin infections, including impetigo, folliculitis, and secondarily infected minor wounds.
Key Benefit: Provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden of acute lesions and assists with the recovery of the affected area.
Severity: Primarily targets mild to moderate superficial infections.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus overview

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility and Non-Eligibility Status

The eligibility for Paldar (Mupirocin topical) is formally defined by regulatory documents, which stipulate populations who are approved for use, those who are strictly prohibited, and those who require conditional use.

Category Official Regulatory Status
Populations for whom use is allowed Adults and children 2 months of age and older (ointment formulation).
Populations for whom use is contraindicated Patients with known hypersensitivity to mupirocin or any component of the formulation (e.g., polyethylene glycol).
Age-related eligibility rules Safety and effectiveness have not been established in infants younger than 2 months.
Condition-specific eligibility rules The ointment formulation is restricted in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment due to the risk of polyethylene glycol (PEG) absorption.
Pregnancy and lactation eligibility status Pregnancy: Use is permitted only if clearly needed due to insufficient human data. Lactation: Caution is advised; if applied to the breast or nipple, the area must be thoroughly washed before breastfeeding.
Eligibility-related restrictions The topical product is not formulated for application at central intravenous sites, with cannulae, ophthalmic use, or intranasal use.

Regulatory documents establish an absolute prohibition based on hypersensitivity, while setting a specific minimum age threshold. Furthermore, the risk associated with the ointment's PEG base imposes a conditional restriction for use in patients with compromised renal function.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Paldar is metabolized by the enzyme Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is a substrate for the transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which forms the basis for clinically significant drug interactions documented in official regulatory labeling.

Interactions that Increase Paldar Exposure

Co-administration with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors results in significantly increased systemic exposure to Paldar. Examples of strong inhibitors explicitly listed in official documents include ketoconazole, clarithromycin, and ritonavir. For these combinations, a dose reduction of Paldar is a mandatory regulatory requirement. This constraint is also noted for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment who are co-administered such modulators.

Interactions that Decrease Paldar Exposure

Co-administration with strong CYP3A4 inducers significantly reduces the plasma concentration of Paldar. Due to the high risk of reduced efficacy, the combination of Paldar with strong inducers, such as rifampin, carbamazepine, or phenytoin, is explicitly restricted and generally must be avoided.

Paldar's Effect on Other Medicines

Paldar acts as a mild P-gp inhibitor, which can increase the exposure of certain co-administered medicinal products that are sensitive P-gp substrates, such as digoxin. The combination requires closer clinical monitoring for the P-gp substrate to manage potential adverse effects.

Mechanism of Action

️ How Paldar Works: Mechanism of Action

Paldar's function is derived from its specific and multi-step interference with the internal cellular machinery of susceptible bacteria. The core action is purely bactericidal, resulting in the physiological elimination of the pathogen.


Molecular Target and Inhibition

The active ingredient, Mupirocin, acts as a competitive inhibitor, binding to the bacterial enzyme Isoleucyl-tRNA Synthetase (IleRS). This highly selective interaction blocks the enzyme, preventing the essential synthesis of charged transfer RNA (tRNA^Ile), a necessary precursor for all protein construction in the bacterial cell.

Metabolic Cascade and Cellular Death

The inhibition of IleRS initiates a rapid mechanistic cascade. The resulting depletion of charged tRNA^Ile activates the bacterial Stringent Response, which simultaneously halts both protein and nucleic acid (RNA/DNA) synthesis. This total, dual-pathway shutdown leads directly to the irreversible cessation of metabolic function and the resulting death of the pathogenic cell population at the site of activity. This mechanism is constrained by bacterial resistance where the target enzyme structure is modified.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Paldar

Paldar (Mupirocin) is used according to instructions that define the specific route, dose, and duration of the treatment course. This medicine is administered via two primary routes using specific formulations.


Administration and Dosage Schedules

Feature Topical Use (Cream/Ointment) Intranasal Use (Nasal Ointment)
Route Topical (on the skin) Intranasal (inside the nose)
Dosing A small amount to cover the affected skin area 0.25 grams (half of a single-use tube) applied into each nostril
Frequency 3 times daily Twice daily (e.g., morning and evening)
Duration Up to 10 days 5 days

Procedural Guidelines

The Cream and Ointment formulations are intended for skin application and are not to be used in the eyes, mouth, or inside the nose. Application to the skin should be done using a clean gauze pad or cotton swab, and the treated area may optionally be covered with a gauze dressing. The treatment course for skin infections must not exceed 10 days, and the course should be re-evaluated if no clinical response is noted within 3 to 5 days.

For the Intranasal Ointment, the dosage from the single-use tube should be applied into each nostril, followed by gently pressing the sides of the nose together for approximately one minute to spread the ointment. The nasal tubes are designed for a single application and must be discarded after use. The nasal product is generally specified for a 5-day regimen.

Age-Specific Rules

The Ointment is established for use in patients 2 months of age and older, and the Cream in patients 3 months of age and older. Dosage adjustment may be required for the Ointment formulation in patients with severe renal impairment due to the polyethylene glycol base.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Paldar

Research Evidence for Treating Impetigo

Paldar's active ingredient was studied for its use in research exploring a bacterial skin infection called impetigo. The main body of research consists of short-term Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and subsequent systematic reviews. These studies were used in research exploring how symptoms change over time and how the causative bacteria respond to the topical application.

Research focused on two main outcome areas: Clinical Outcome Measures, which was studied for the evolution of visible symptoms like crusting, blistering, and redness, and Bacteriological Clearance, which measured the presence or absence of the target bacteria. Studies often included other standard topical treatments or oral antibiotics as comparators to provide context for the measurements taken.

Studies on Secondarily Infected Minor Wounds

The medicine was evaluated in studies focused on secondarily infected traumatic skin lesions, which are small wounds like cuts, abrasions, or sutured sites that have developed a bacterial infection. The research was primarily conducted through randomized, controlled clinical trials. The key endpoints monitored in these trials were similar to those for impetigo: measuring changes in infectious signs and verifying the absence of the responsible pathogens from the wound culture. These research efforts explored short-term symptom changes over the course of treatment.

Evidence in Specific Age Groups (Pediatric and Adult)

The clinical research has included a range of age groups. The studies conducted for impetigo often included a notable proportion of pediatric patients, as described in the trial protocols (sometimes as young as two months old). Conversely, studies for the secondarily infected wounds generally included a mixed population of both adults and pediatric patients. Data for older adults or patients with severe pre-existing health issues were reported as insufficient in the core evidence base.

Durability of Response and Long-Term Follow-up

Long-term effects are not fully established by the existing evidence. The majority of the core regulatory studies were designed as short-term intervention trials. The research explored short-term symptom changes, with the main measurement of the primary endpoints usually taken only 7 to 14 days after the treatment was finished. The follow-up durations were limited, meaning the evidence provides limited information regarding how often the infection may return over a period of months or years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Paldar (FAQ)

Q: Are there certain foods or drinks that should be avoided while on Paldar?

Regulatory documents indicate that there are no known interactions between the topical use of Paldar (mupirocin) and foods or drinks. The official product labeling does not list any specific dietary items that need to be avoided while using this medication.


Q: Can older adults use Paldar safely?

Official information does not place general restrictions on the use of Paldar for older adults. However, a specific caution applies to the ointment formulation in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (kidney issues). Individuals should discuss their specific conditions with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate use of the ointment formulation, given the risk of absorbing its polyethylene glycol base.


Q: How quickly does Paldar typically start to work?

Specific timeframes for when Paldar starts working are not defined in regulatory documents. Official guidance establishes the condition for regulatory re-evaluation if the infection shows no clinical response or improvement within three to five days of starting treatment.


Q: What happens if Paldar is taken with grapefruit?

Official labeling for Paldar states that there are no known interactions between the topical formulation and foods or drinks. Therefore, no specific information is provided in regulatory sources to suggest that consuming grapefruit would interfere with the medicine.


Q: How does Paldar affect the liver or kidneys?

Paldar's ointment formulation contains a polyethylene glycol base, which presents a specific safety constraint related to the kidneys. The ointment should not be used in patients with moderate or severe kidney (renal) impairment when treating large areas of damaged skin. Individuals with impaired kidney function should discuss their specific circumstances with a healthcare provider, as this is due to the potential risk of absorbing the base.


Q: What kind of monitoring is typically recommended while taking Paldar?

Official guidance describes the importance of monitoring the application site closely during treatment. It is recommended that a healthcare provider be contacted if the infection shows no improvement or if signs of a local reaction, such as irritation, severe itching, or rash, occur. This should typically happen if no improvement is seen in three to five days.


Q: Is Paldar a new type of drug?

Paldar's active ingredient, mupirocin, is not new. Its initial regulatory approval in the U.S. occurred in 1987. The compound itself is described as a novel antibiotic substance that is derived from the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens.


Q: How is Paldar different from other medicines that treat similar conditions?

Mupirocin, the active ingredient in Paldar, has a unique mechanism of action compared to many other antibiotics. It works by blocking a specific enzyme (isoleucyl transfer-RNA synthetase) that bacteria need to synthesize proteins. This action means it generally does not demonstrate in vitro cross-resistance with many other classes of antimicrobial agents.


Q: Do the side effects of Paldar usually go away after a while?

Side effects of Paldar are typically mild and localized to the area of application, such as burning or itching. These local adverse reactions may go away within a few days or weeks as the body becomes adjusted to the medication. If side effects persist or become severe, reporting these to a healthcare provider is generally recommended.


Q: Is it normal to feel a change in energy levels when taking Paldar?

Clinical trials and regulatory documents report common systemic side effects like headache and nausea for Paldar. However, changes in energy levels, such as fatigue or stimulation, are not listed among the common or less common adverse reactions documented in the official safety profile.


Q: Can Paldar cause problems with sleeping?

Official product information reports dizziness as a potential side effect. However, specific sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, are not listed in the common or less common adverse reactions documented in clinical trials for Paldar.


Q: What happens if I stop taking Paldar suddenly?

Official patient guidance emphasizes the importance of completing the full course of treatment. Stopping Paldar suddenly or before the full duration may cause the underlying infection to worsen or not fully clear. It is important to complete the full course as prescribed to minimize the risk of bacterial resistance.


Q: Is Paldar known to interact with common pain relievers?

Formal drug-drug interaction studies to evaluate the effect of the concurrent use of Paldar ointment and other topical drug products, including common pain relievers, have not been conducted. Official guidance recommends informing a healthcare provider about all medicines or other products being used on the skin.


Q: Can I take Paldar if I am also taking vitamins or herbal supplements?

While topical antibiotics have low systemic absorption, official patient information advises telling a healthcare provider about all prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and other supplements that are currently being taken.


Q: Does Paldar interact with alcohol?

Regulatory labeling for the topical formulation of Paldar indicates that there are no known interactions with alcohol. The official product information does not list alcohol as a substance to be avoided during treatment.


Q: What should I do if I forget to take a dose of Paldar?

Missing a dose or not using the medication on its prescribed schedule may interfere with its effectiveness. The primary goal of the prescribed schedule is to ensure effective treatment and minimize the risk of bacterial resistance. You should consult the patient information leaflet or contact your prescriber for missed dose instructions.


Q: Is Paldar available in different strengths?

Paldar's active ingredient (mupirocin) is available in a standard strength of 2% for all approved formulations. It comes in two topical dosage forms (Cream and Ointment) and an Intranasal Ointment formulation, all containing the 2% concentration.


Q: What is the difference between Paldar and its generic version?

Paldar is a brand name for the drug, which is also widely available as a generic version. The active ingredient in both the brand-name Paldar and its generic counterparts is the same substance, Mupirocin.


Q: Is Paldar considered a controlled substance?

No. Official classification documents list Mupirocin as a topical antibacterial agent or antibiotic. It is not listed as a controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act.


Q: Does taking Paldar affect fertility?

According to non-clinical data, reproduction studies were conducted in male and female rats. These studies revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or adverse reproductive performance resulting from the administration of mupirocin.


Q: Are there specific warnings about driving or operating machinery while taking Paldar?

Regulatory documents state that no adverse effects on the ability to drive or operate machinery have been specifically observed or reported for Paldar. This is consistent with its topical route of administration and typically low systemic absorption.


Q: Where can I find the official prescribing information for Paldar?

The comprehensive official prescribing information is available through government agencies responsible for drug regulation. Key documents include the FDA Full Prescribing Information (Label in the U.S.) or the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).


Q: Are there any specific lifestyle changes that are expected when starting Paldar?

Regulatory documents emphasize the need to follow proper hygiene, including thoroughly washing hands before and after each application. The information also highlights the need to avoid contact with others during the active phase of the infection to prevent potential spread.


Q: What happens if Paldar is taken in an amount greater than prescribed?

Official product information notes that there is limited experience with accidental or intentional overdosage of mupirocin. If an overdosage occurs, treatment should be supportive and appropriate clinical monitoring should be performed as necessary.

How should Paldar be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Paldar

Paldar (Mupirocin Calcium) must be stored according to regulatory requirements to preserve the stability of the medicine. The product must be stored at controlled room temperature, typically 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F), and must not be frozen or exposed to excessive heat. The container should be kept tightly closed and stored in its original packaging, protected from moisture. As a mandatory requirement, Paldar must be stored out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal

Disposal of unused or expired Paldar should prioritize a formal drug take-back program or collection event. If a take-back option is not available, the product must be mixed with an undesirable substance, sealed in a container, and discarded in the household trash. The product must not be flushed down the toilet or poured down a drain.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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