ACULAR vs BACTROBAN

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 12, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. ACULAR and BACTROBAN are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	ACULAR	BACTROBAN
Rating	72/100	70/100
Pharmacy pays	—	$0.80 /g
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	KETOROLAC TROMETHAMINE	MUPIROCIN
Manufacturer	Abbvie	Glaxosmithkline
Dosage forms	Drops	Topical
Drug class	Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug	Rna Synthetase Inhibitor Antibacterial
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	about 5 to 6 hours	—
Treats	Allergic Conjunctivitis, Inflammation, Pain	Impetigo

acular bactroban

Rating

72/100

70/100

Pharmacy pays

—

$0.80 /g

Type

Active ingredient

KETOROLAC TROMETHAMINE

MUPIROCIN

Manufacturer

Abbvie

Glaxosmithkline

Dosage forms

Drops

Topical

Drug class

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

Rna Synthetase Inhibitor Antibacterial

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

about 5 to 6 hours

—

Treats

Allergic Conjunctivitis, Inflammation, Pain

Impetigo

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Acular or Bactroban?

By our independent rating, Acular scores higher — 3.6 vs 3.5 out of 5 for Bactroban. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

What is the difference between Acular and Bactroban?

Acular contains Ketorolac Tromethamine, while Bactroban contains Mupirocin — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.