Sulfacetamide Sodium

This medication is used to treat certain scalp conditions (dandruff, seborrhea). These scalp problems can sometimes be worsened by bacteria on the skin. This medication works by stopping the growth of certain skin bacteria. Sodium sulfacetamide belongs to a class of drugs known as sulfa antibiotics. Do not use this medication in children under 2 months old.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

This medication is for use on the hair and scalp only. For some brands of this medication, the bottle may need to be shaken well before using. Check your product labeling for instructions. Wet hair and scalp with water. Apply this product to wet hair and massage it over your entire scalp until it forms a lather. Rinse the medication off completely. Use this medication usually at least 2 times a week or as directed by your doctor. Avoid getting this medication in the eyes, nose, or mouth. If you do get medication into these areas, rinse with plenty of water. How often you use this medication is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Do not use large amounts of this medication, use it more often, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects may be increased. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve after a few weeks. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor immediately if your condition worsens, or if you develop a rash or other serious side effects. See Side Effects section.

The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring. To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: skin products containing silver. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

Do not share this medication with others. This product may temporarily stain clothing. The stain will usually wash out with normal cleaning.

This medication may be harmful if swallowed. If swallowing or overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents should call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents should call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, pink/bloody urine, change in the amount of urine.

Before using sodium sulfacetamide shampoo, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to sulfa antibiotics (such as sulfamethoxazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history. Tell your doctor if there are areas of skin near where this product will be applied that are cut, scraped, burned, or infected. Injured skin may absorb more of this product, and the chance of serious side effects may increase. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C). Avoid freezing and high heat. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. This medication may darken slightly over time. This slight darkening does not change the effectiveness or safety of the medication. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Although uncommon, irritation of the skin or scalp may occur. If this effect persists or worsens, stop using this medication and tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Using this medication for prolonged periods may result in a fungal skin infection. Contact your doctor if you notice new or worsening skin/scalp symptoms. Rarely, sodium sulfacetamide products applied to the skin may be absorbed and may cause serious side effects. Stop using this product and tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: aching/swollen joints, rash on nose and cheeks, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), signs of anemia (such as unusual tiredness/weakness, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat), unusual bleeding/bruising, signs of liver problems (such as dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea, vomiting), mouth sores. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.