|  | Conditions Treatments | Wounds Injuries

Bacitracin History

There are many prescription and over-the-counter antibiotics available in your local drugstore or supermarket pharmacy. An antibiotic works by killing the bacteria that can cause infections. Many of these are discovered, engineered and developed in science laboratories across the nation. One such antibiotic is Bacitracin.

  1. Origin

    • Bacitracin was originally discovered in 1945. The first active strain of the bacteria, Bacillus subtilis var Tracy--which is commonly found in soil--was found within the body of a patient named "Tracy I." The bacteria was harvested from a severe fracture of her tibia, a leg bone. and then was scientifically engineered into an antibacterial agent. Since the bacteria strain was originally found in her body, the antibacterial agent was named after her.

    FDA Approval

    • Currently, the FDA has only approved the use of Bacitracin in chickens and turkeys. Interestingly though, it is found in many products specifically designed for use on humans.

    Forms

    • It can be found in several forms--a Bacitracin zinc salt, an ointment or an injection. Bacitracin is rarely used as an injection because there are many other antibiotics that are much more effective. It is generally found in the form of a topical ointment as it lacks effectiveness if administered orally.

    Over-the-Counter Applications

    • When Bacitracin is used as an ointment, it is generally combined with several other antibiotic ingredients. It is currently one of the main active ingredients found in Neosporin, a name brand of antibiotic ointment that is used to treat infections, burns, cuts and other skin injuries.

    Prescription Applications

    • Bacitracin can only be found as a single ingredient in the prescription treatment of superficial eye infections. This form is a topical ointment and is only available as a prescription from an ophthalmologist.

Wounds Injuries - Related Articles