The key difference between bacitracin and Neosporin is that bacitracin can stop bacterial growth, whereas Neosporin can stop bacterial growth and kill existing bacteria.
Bacitracin and Neosporin can work on the skin as topical formulations to prevent or treat bacterial skin infections. However, they work differently from each other.
CONTENT
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Bacitracin
3. What is Neosporin
4. Bacitracin vs Neosporin in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Bacitracin vs Neosporin
What is Bacitracin?
Bacitracin is a polypeptide having the chemical formula C66H103N17O16S. It is a polypeptide antibiotic and can be found as a mixture of related cyclic peptides that are produced by Bacillus licheniformis bacterial species. This bacterium was first isolated from a variety Tracy I in 1945. This peptide can disrupt the Gram-positive bacteria via interfering with the cell wall and peptidoglycan synthesis. Moreover, it is primarily made as a topical preparation because it can damage kidneys when internally used as a drug. Some synonyms for bacitracin include bacitracin A, bacitracin A2a, Baciguent, Fortracin, Bacitracinum, etc.
When considering the chemistry of this compound, it is a homodetic cyclic peptide composed of (4R)-2-[(1S,2S)-1-amino-2-methylbutyl]-4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid. This acid is attached in the head-to-tail pattern to leucyl,D-glutamyl, L-lysyl, D-ornityl, L-isoleucyl, D-phenylalanyl, L-histidyl. Moreover, it has D-aspartyl and L-asparaginyl residues that are coupled in sequence and cyclized by condensation of the side-chain amino group of the L-lysyl residue with C-terminal carboxylic acid group.
The molar mass of bacitracin is 1422.7 g/mol. It has a hydrogen bond donor count of 17 and a hydrogen bond acceptor count of 21. Furthermore, bacitracin has a rotatable bond count of 31. It has a complexity of 2850 degrees and has 15 defined stereocenter centers. Bacitracin occurs in a solid state at room temperature while the melting point is in the range of 221 – 225 degrees Celsius range. It is freely soluble in water.
This medication is indicated in topical formulations for acute and chronic localized skin infections. Sometimes, it is used intramuscularly for infantile streptococcal pneumonia and empyema. Moreover, it is formulated as an ointment with neomycin and polymyxin B as an over-the-counter drug.
What is Neosporin?
Neosporin is a medication having the chemical formula C23H46N6O13. It is useful in preventing and treating minor skin infections that are caused by small cuts, scrapes, or burns. This medication is available over the counter for self-medication. However, it should not be used over large areas of the body because it can cause skin injuries and infections. The major components of Neosporin include neomycin, bacitracin, polymyxin, and antibiotics that can work by stopping the growth of bacteria. However, it will only prevent or treat bacterial skin infections. Therefore, it cannot work against other types of infections, such as infections caused by fungi and viruses. Unnecessary use can lead to lower effectiveness.
There can be some side effects, such as other types of skin infections. However, this is generally a well-tolerated medication. Some allergic reactions can also occur, such as rash, redness, burning, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, etc.
Neomycin makes up the majority of Neosporin. It has the chemical formula C23H46N6O13 and its molar mass 614.6 g/mol. It has a hydrogen bond donor count of 13, and the hydrogen bond acceptor count is 19. The rotatable bond count is 9. The complexity of this compound can be defined as 872 degrees. Moreover, the defined atom stereocenter count is 19. Typically, this substance occurs in the liquid state at room temperature, and the melting point is very low comparatively (6 degrees Celsius)/. It is soluble in water and many other solvents such as methanol. Further, it is a hygroscopic substance.
What is the Difference Between Bacitracin and Neosporin?
Bacitracin and Neosporin are two types of topical formulations that are used to treat skin infections. The key difference between bacitracin and Neosporin is that bacitracin can stop bacterial growth, whereas Neosporin can stop bacterial growth as well as kill existing bacteria. Moreover, Neosporin can fight against a large range of bacterial species, while bacitracin cannot fight a large range as Neosporin.
The below infographic presents the differences between bacitracin and Neosporin in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Bacitracin vs Neosporin
Bacitracin and Neosporin are important medications for skin infections that are used as topic ointments. The key difference between bacitracin and Neosporin is that bacitracin can stop bacterial growth, whereas Neosporin can stop bacterial growth as well as kill existing bacteria.
Reference:
1. “Bacitracin a.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Bacitracin A” By Calvero. – Selfmade with ChemDraw. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Neosporin” By Mrbeastmodeallday – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia