Silver sulfadiazine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Medication Silver Sulfadiazine?

What is silver sulfadiazine for?

Silver Sulfadiazine is a drug used with other treatments to help prevent and treat wound infections in patients with serious burns. Silver sulfadiazine works by stopping the growth of bacteria that can infect open wounds. This helps to lower the risk of bacteria spreading to the surrounding skin, or blood where it can cause serious blood infection (sepsis). Silver sulfadiazine belongs to a class of drugs known as sulfa antibiotics.

Silver sulfadiazine should not be used in premature or newborn babies during the first 2 months of life because of the risk of serious side effects.

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

This medication may also be used to help prevent and treat other skin wounds and infections (such as skin ulcers).

How to use silver sulfadiazine?

This medication is for use on the skin only.

Your healthcare professional will clean and remove dead tissue from the wound to aid in the healing process.

Apply this medication to wounds using a sterile manner (such as wearing sterile gloves and using a sterile application device), as recommended by your doctor, usually 1 to 2 times a day. The thickness of the drug layer should be about 1-2 mm or as recommended by the doctor. The wound should be covered with cream at all times. A bandage can be applied over the cream, but only as needed. If there is a part of the wound where the cream has been rubbed off, reapply it immediately. Creams should also be reapplied immediately after hydrotherapy.

Treatment usually continues until the wound has completely healed or until the area is ready for treatment.

Use this remedy regularly for optimal benefits. You need to remember to use it at the same time every day.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or if it worsens.

How is silver sulfadiazine stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Silver Sulfadiazine Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for silver sulfadiazine for adults?

Increase the dosage for the prevention and treatment of wound sepsis in patients with second and third degree burns: apply to the injured area once or twice daily with a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch.

Whenever needed, topical Silver Sulfadiazine should be re-applied for each area of ​​application that is removed due to patient activity, the drug should be re-applied immediately after hydrotherapy.

What is the dosage for silver sulfadiazine for children?

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients (less than 18 years) have not been determined.

In what dosage is silver sulfadiazine available?

Outer cream: 1% (20 g 50 g 85 g 400 g 1000 g) 1% (25 g 50 g 80 g 400 g).

Silver Sulfadiazine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to silver sulfadiazine?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as:

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
• pale or yellowish skin, dark urine
• ulcers on the treated skin area
• there is blood in your urine
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, nausea and vomiting
• swelling, weight or
• fever, sore throat, and severe headache, peeling, and red skin rash

Less serious side effects may include:

• skin color brown or skin gray
• mild itching or burning or
• stomach ache

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Silver Sulfadiazine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using silver sulfadiazine?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

There are no precise studies on the relationship of age to the effects of topical silver sulfadiazine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been confirmed.

Topical silver sulfadiazine is not recommended in preterm infants or newborns 2 months of age and younger.

Elderly

There have been no precise studies to date to pinpoint a specific geriatric problem that will limit the usefulness of silver sulfadiazine topical in the elderly.

Is silver sulfadiazine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Silver Sulfadiazine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with silver sulfadiazine?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs

Take this drug with Methenamine not recommended. Your doctor may not prescribe this medicine to you or will change the one you are already taking.

Can food or alcohol interact with silver sulfadiazine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with silver sulfadiazine?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (a hereditary metabolic disorder affecting red blood cells) - use with caution. May cause blood problems in patients with this condition
• Kidney illness
• liver disease - use with caution. The effect may increase due to slower removal of the drug from the drug from the body
• Porphyria - use of this drug can result in a severe attack of porphyria

Silver Sulfadiazine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.