silver sulfadiazine topical

What is the most important information I should know about silver sulfadiazine topical?

What is silver sulfadiazine topical?

Silver sulfadiazine is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria and yeast on the skin.

Silver sulfadiazine topical (for the skin) is used to treat or prevent serious infection on areas of skin with second- or third-degree burns.

Silver sulfadiazine topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using silver sulfadiazine topical?

To make sure silver sulfadiazine topical is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency; or
• an allergy to sulfa drugs.

FDA pregnancy category B. Silver sulfadiazine topical is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, this medicine can cause serious medical problems in a newborn and should not be used during late pregnancy.

How should I use silver sulfadiazine topical?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Clean the area to be treated as directed by your doctor. Apply enough silver sulfadiazine to cover the affected area evenly. This medicine should be applied in a layer about one 16th (1/16) of an inch thick, or 1.6 millimeters.

If needed, apply more cream to replace any medicine that has come off on bandages, clothing, or bed linens. Reapply the cream after bathing or water therapy.

Silver sulfadiazine cream is usually applied 1 or 2 times daily. Burn wounds must be kept covered with this medicine at all times. Treated skin areas can be left uncovered, or you may use a gauze bandage if directed by your doctor.

While using silver sulfadiazine topical, you may need frequent blood tests. Your kidney function may also need to be tested.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Your burn wounds should be kept covered with silver sulfadiazine cream at all times.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using silver sulfadiazine topical?

What are the possible side effects of silver sulfadiazine topical?

Although the risk of serious side effects is low when silver sulfadiazine is applied to the skin, side effects can occur if the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream.

• sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
• kidney problems --red or pink urine, little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain;
• liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

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 other drugs will affect silver sulfadiazine topical?

Other drugs may interact with silver sulfadiazine topical, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about silver sulfadiazine topical.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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