What is silver sulfadiazine topical?
Silver sulfadiazine is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria and fungus on the skin.
Silver sulfadiazine topical (for the skin) is used to treat or prevent infections on areas of burned
skin.
Silver sulfadiazine topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking silver sulfadiazine topical?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to silver sulfadiazine or another sulfa
medication.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
FDA pregnancy category B. Silver sulfadiazine is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether silver sulfadiazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take silver sulfadiazine topical?
Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for
longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Wash your hands before and after applying silver sulfadiazine cream.
The person applying this medication to burn wounds should wear sterile disposable gloves.
Take care to keep the treatment area as clean as possible to prevent further infection.
Clean the area to be treated as directed by your doctor. Apply enough of the medication to
cover the affected area evenly. Silver sulfadiazine cream should be applied in a layer about one 16th of
an inch thick (1.5 millimeter).
Silver sulfadiazine cream is usually applied 1 or 2 times daily. Burn wounds must be kept
covered with this medication at all times. Treated skin areas can be left uncovered, or you may use a
gauze bandage if directed by your doctor.
If needed, apply more cream to replace any medication that has come off on bandages,
clothing, or bed linens. Reapply the cream after bathing or water therapy.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a
regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any follow-up visits to
your doctor.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before
the infection is completely cleared.
Store silver sulfadiazine topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of silver sulfadiazine topical?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Your burn wounds should be kept covered
with silver sulfadiazine cream at all times.
Where can I get more information about silver sulfadiazine topical?
Your pharmacist has information about silver sulfadiazine topical written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of silver sulfadiazine topical?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine;
-
ulcers on treated skin areas;
-
blood in your urine;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
-
drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, nausea and
vomiting;
-
swelling, weight gain; or
-
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash.
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about silver sulfadiazine topical?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to silver sulfadiazine or another sulfa
medication.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or an
enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD).
The person applying this medication to burn wounds should wear sterile disposable gloves.
Take care to keep the treatment area as clean as possible to prevent further infection.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before
the infection is completely cleared.
Avoid exposing treated skin areas to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Silver sulfadiazine
can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing when
you are outdoors.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as fever, chills, flu symptoms,
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, ulcers on
treated skin areas, swelling or weight gain, urinating less than usual, or a severe blistering or peeling red
skin rash.
What should I avoid while taking silver sulfadiazine topical?
Avoid exposing treated skin areas to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Silver sulfadiazine
can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing when
you are outdoors.
Avoid getting this medication in your mouth or eyes. If it does get into any of these areas,
rinse with water. Do not use silver sulfadiazine topical on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped,
irritated, or broken skin.
What other drugs will affect silver sulfadiazine topical?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially cimetidine (Tagamet).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with silver sulfadiazine.
Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling
your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of silver sulfadiazine topical?
