Silver Sulfadiazine
Generic name: Silver Sulfadiazine [ SIL-ver-sul-fa-DYE-a-zeen ]
Brand names: Silvadene, SSD
Drug class: Topical antibiotics
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 17, 2024.
Uses of Silver Sulfadiazine:
- It is used to avoid or treat skin infections in patients with burns.
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Silver Sulfadiazine?
For all patients taking silver sulfadiazine:
- If you are allergic to silver sulfadiazine; any part of silver sulfadiazine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you are pregnant and near term.
- If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
Children:
- If your child is a premature baby or is a newborn. Do not give silver sulfadiazine to a premature baby or a newborn.
- If your child is younger than 2 months of age. Do not give silver sulfadiazine to an infant younger than 2 months of age.
This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take silver sulfadiazine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Silver Sulfadiazine?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take silver sulfadiazine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- If you have a sulfa (sulfonamide) allergy, talk with your doctor.
- Be careful if you have G6PD deficiency. Anemia may happen.
- This medicine may make you sunburn more easily. Use care if you will be in the sun. Tell your doctor if you sunburn easily while taking this drug.
- Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
- This medicine may cause harm if swallowed. If silver sulfadiazine is swallowed, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
- This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab workers know you use silver sulfadiazine.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using silver sulfadiazine while you are pregnant.
How is this medicine (Silver Sulfadiazine) best taken?
Use silver sulfadiazine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Do not take silver sulfadiazine by mouth. Use on your skin only. Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
- Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.
- Wash your hands before and after use. Do not wash your hands after use if putting this on your hand.
- Wear special gloves while putting silver sulfadiazine on.
- Clean affected part and take off dead skin.
- Put a thin layer on the affected part and rub in gently.
- Put on 1 or 2 times a day or as you have been told by the doctor.
- Use a dressing if needed.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Put on a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not put on 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
- Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
- Fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or feeling very tired or weak.
- Very bad belly pain.
- A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
What are some other side effects of Silver Sulfadiazine?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Change in color of skin.
- Skin irritation.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Silver Sulfadiazine?
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Protect from heat.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about silver sulfadiazine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
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