COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Silvadene
GENERIC NAME(S): SILVER SULFADIAZINE
Description: Silver sulfadiazine antimicrobial against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as some yeasts and fungi. The silver salt acts mainly on the cell wall and membrane and inhibits the essential enzymes, leading to bacterial death.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Slowly releases sulfadiazine when it comes into contact with wound exudates.
Indications:
Prevent and treat wound infections in patients with serious burns.
OTHER USES: This drug may also be used to help prevent and treat other skin and wound infections (such as skin ulcers).
Contraindications:
Should not be given to patient who are known to have allergic reactions against this drug.
Silver sulfadiazine must not be used on premature babies or on newborns during the first 2 months of life because of the risk of serious side effects.
How to use silver sulfadiazine topical
This medication is for use on the skin only.
Apply this medication to the wound wearing sterile gloves and using sterile application tools, as directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 2 times daily.
The layer of medication should be about 1-2 millimeters thick or as directed and should be covered with the cream at all times. Dressings may be applied over the cream, but only if needed. If some of the cream rubs off the wound, reapply it immediately. The cream should also be reapplied immediately after hydrotherapy.
Treatment usually continues until the wound is completely healed or until the site is ready for skin grafting.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or if it worsens.
Availability: This is a prescription only drug.
Some of the reactions, which have been associated with sulfonamides, are as follows: blood dyscrasias including agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and hemolytic anemia; dermatologic and allergic reactions, including life-threatening cutaneous reactions [Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and exfoliative dermatitis]; gastrointestinal reactions; hepatitis and hepatocellular necrosis; CNS reactions; and toxic nephrosis.
Fungal proliferation in and below the dead tissue may occur. However, the incidence of clinically reported fungal infection is low.
The use of silver sulfadiazine in Glucose- 6- phosphate deficient patients may cause breakage of the red blood cells.
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.
Common side effects:
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but serious side effects occur:
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions:
General:
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Pregnancy Risk: Category B- No proven risk to humans. This medication must not be used near the expected delivery date because of possible harm to the unborn baby.
Breastfeeding: It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk and may harm nursing infants who are ill, premature, less than 2 months old, or who have certain disorders (such as jaundice, high blood levels ofbilirubin, G6PD deficiency). Therefore, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended in infants with these conditions. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions:
Overdose:
This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If swallowing or overdose is suspected.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as white blood cell count, kidney function tests, blood tests) should be performed periodically to check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. This medicine should be on the wounds at all times as directed by your doctor.
Storage
Store the US product at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.
Store the Canadian product between 46-77 degrees F (8-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. To ensure that the medication is sterile, the Canadian 250- and 500-gram jars should be discarded 24 hours after opening. The Canadian tubes should be discarded 7 days after opening. Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
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.
Brands:
Available Brands
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