What is sodium sulfacetamide topical?
Sodium sulfacetamide is an antibacterial agent. Sodium sulfacetamide topical interferes
with the growth of bacteria on the skin.
Sodium sulfacetamide topical is used in the treatment of acne, dandruff, and seborrheic
dermatitis (red, flaking skin rash).
Sodium sulfacetamide 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 sodium sulfacetamide topical?
Do not use sodium sulfacetamide topical without first talking to your doctor if you
have an allergy to sulfa products. You may not be able to use sodium sulfacetamide topical, or
you may require special monitoring during treatment.
Do not apply sodium sulfacetamide topical to large areas of open, broken, burned, or
infected skin without first talking to your doctor. Large areas of damaged skin may allow more
medicine to be absorbed by the body, possibly resulting in side effects.
Sodium sulfacetamide topical is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it
is not known whether sodium sulfacetamide topical will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not
use sodium sulfacetamide topical without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could
become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether sodium sulfacetamide passes into breast milk. Do not use
sodium sulfacetamide topical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take sodium sulfacetamide topical?
Use sodium sulfacetamide topical exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Wash your hands before and after applying the medication.
Shake the lotion well before using it.
Clean and dry the affected area. Apply a thin film of lotion.
If the scalp is the affected area, wash the hair before applying the medication. Part the hair
one section at a time and apply a small quantity of lotion. Gently rub the lotion in with the
fingertips to completely moisten the scalp. Brush the hair thoroughly for 2 to 3 minutes. For best
results, the medication should be applied at bedtime and allowed to remain on the hair overnight
unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The hair should be washed at least once a week.
Rinsing with plain water or thorough brushing will remove any excess medication between
washes.
Do not cover the affected area after applying sodium sulfacetamide topical, unless
otherwise directed by your doctor. Doing so could cause too much medicine to be absorbed by
the body and could be harmful.
It is important to use sodium sulfacetamide regularly to get the most benefit. It may take
several weeks or more to see the effects of this drug.
Store sodium sulfacetamide topical at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of sodium sulfacetamide topical?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the
next dose, skip the missed dose and apply only the next regularly scheduled dose.
Where can I get more information about sodium sulfacetamide topical?
Your pharmacist has information about sodium sulfacetamide topical written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of sodium sulfacetamide topical?
Serious side effects are not likely to occur with the use of sodium sulfacetamide
topical. Stop using sodium sulfacetamide topical and seek emergency medical attention or
contact your doctor immediately if you experience
-
an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
-
new or worsening signs of a skin rash;
-
soreness of the joints;
-
fever; or
-
sores in the mouth.
More commonly, you may experience some redness, warmth, swelling,
itching, stinging, burning, or irritation of the treated area. If these side effects are excessive,
notify your doctor.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about sodium sulfacetamide topical?
Stop using sodium sulfacetamide topical and contact your healthcare provider if you
develop new or worsening signs of a skin rash, soreness of the joints, fever, or sores in the
mouth.
Do not use other topical products on the same area unless otherwise directed by your
doctor. They may interfere with the effects or absorption of sodium sulfacetamide topical.
Do not cover the area after applying sodium sulfacetamide topical, unless otherwise
directed by your doctor. Doing so could cause too much medicine to be absorbed by the body and
could be harmful.
What should I avoid while taking sodium sulfacetamide topical?
Do not use other topical products on the same area unless otherwise directed by your
doctor. They may interfere with the effects or absorption of sodium sulfacetamide topical.
Do not cover the area after applying sodium sulfacetamide topical, unless otherwise
directed by your doctor. Doing so could cause too much medicine to be absorbed by the body and
could be harmful.
What other drugs will affect sodium sulfacetamide topical?
Do not use other topical products on the same area unless otherwise directed by your
doctor. They may interfere with the effects or absorption of sodium sulfacetamide topical.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with sodium sulfacetamide topical.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
What happens if I have an overdose of sodium sulfacetamide topical?