Silver Sulfadiazine information from DrugsUpdate
P - Contraindicated in pregnancy
L - Contraindicated in lactation
Silver sulfadiazine is a sulfa derivative topical antibacterial historically used as a topical burn cream on second- and third-degree burns. It prevents the growth of a wide array of bacteria, as well as yeast, on the damaged skin. Studies however have found that it increased healing times and is therefore no longer recommended.
Silver sulfadiazine is typically delivered in a 1% solution suspended in a water-soluble base. The chemical itself is poorly soluble, and has only very limited penetration through the skin. Only when applied to very large area burns is absorption into the body generally a problem.
Well-known proprietary brand names are Silvadene and Flamazine. The medication is also marketed under Kendall as Thermazene, with the aforementioned silvadene still functioning as a genericized trademark.
Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacokinetics
Silver sulfadiazine has broad antimicrobial activity; it is active 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 to disrupt its intergrity thus allowing it to impair the essential enzymes, bacterial DNA and RNA leading to cell death.
Absorption
Slowly releases sulfadiazine when it comes into contact with wound exudates. Up to 10% of sulfadiazine may be absorbed.
Silver Sulfadiazine Indications / Silver Sulfadiazine Uses
Information Not Available
Silver Sulfadiazine Adverse Reactions / Silver Sulfadiazine Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea; hypersensitivity, skin reactions; haematuria; crystalluria; thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, eosinophilia.
Potentially Fatal: Stevens-Johnson syndrome; agranulocytosis, jaundice, hepatitis.
Precautions
Information Not Available
Special Precautions
Impaired hepatic or renal function; G6PD deficiency; maintain adequate fluid intake. Monitor blood counts. Systemic absorption, resulting in argyria may occur if it is applied to large wound areas and over prolonged periods.
Other Drug Interactions
Potentiates antidiabetic effect of sulphonylureas. Not antagonised by PABA.
Other Interactions
Information Not Available
Dosage
Topical/Cutaneous
Treatment and prophylaxis of infection in severe burns
Adult: Apply a 1% cream onto affected area once or twice daily.
Food(before/after)
Information Not Available
List of Contraindications
Silver Sulfadiazine and Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy
Silver Sulfadiazine and Lactation
Contraindicated in lactation
Silver Sulfadiazine and Children
Safety and efficacy not established
Silver Sulfadiazine and Geriatic
Information Not Available
Silver Sulfadiazine and Other Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to sulphonamides; porphyria; premature infants and infants <2 months; pregnancy and lactation.
Storage
Information Not Available
Lab interference
Information Not Available
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