How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Silver sulfadiazine belongs to the class of medications called topical antibiotics. It is used to treat and prevent infection of skin wounds, especially for victims of serious burns. It may also be used in leg ulcers, skin grafts, surgical incisions, and minor cuts and scrapes. It is applied directly to the wounded area and works by stopping the action of bacteria that may cause infection.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Flamazine is a white cream, containing 1% w/w of silver sulfadiazine. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cetyl alcohol, distilled water, glycerol stearate, liquid paraffin, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, and propylene glycol.
How should I use this medication?
Burns: Clean burn wounds and apply silver sulfadiazine over all the affected areas to a depth of 3 mm to 5 mm.
One way to apply the cream is with a sterile gloved hand or a sterile nonmetallic spatula. Where necessary, reapply the cream to any area from which it has been removed by activity. Reapply the cream at least every 24 hours.
For hand burns and finger injuries, a recommended method is to apply the medication to the burn and then enclose the hand in a clear plastic bag or glove, which is then closed at the wrist. Change the dressing every 3 days or whenever there is a lot of drainage in the bag.
Silver sulfadiazine cream is also used for treatment of leg ulcers. Clean leg ulcer and fill the cavity with silver sulfadiazine to a depth of at least 3 mm to 5 mm. Avoid applying the silver sulfadiazine to the surrounding skin. Apply appropriate dressing to the area and change every 2 or 3 days.
Ask your health care professional about the best way to apply the cream and care for the affected area.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Silver sulfadiazine should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to silver sulfadiazine or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- is a premature infant or newborn in their first month of life
- is pregnant at term
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- burning feeling on treated area(s)
- itching or skin rash
Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- ashen-grey discolouration of the skin
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a severe skin reaction such as blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Allergy to sulfonamides: Some people who are allergic to sulfonamide antibiotics, such as sulfamethoxazole also experience allergic reactions to silver sulfadiazine. Before you use this medication, inform your doctor about any previous side effects you have had to other antibiotics. Contact your doctor at once if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face and throat.
Blood cell counts: This medication may cause leukopenia (low white blood cell count), which can mean your immune system is weak, and is most likely to happen 2 to 3 days after starting the medication. If you develop a fever, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor should also perform blood tests regularly to monitor your blood cell counts.
Fire hazard: Avoid smoking or going near open flames when you are using this medication. Silver sulfadiazine causes clothing, linens, and other items that come into contact with the medication to burn more easily.
Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: Silver sulfadiazine should be used with caution by people with a history of G-6-PD (glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency, as hemolysis (breakdown of blood cells) may occur.
Liver and kidney function: Silver sulfadiazine should be used with caution by people with significant liver or kidney impairment. If you are using this medication to treat large wounds it is important to drink lots of liquids to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.
Oral hypoglycemic agents and phenytoin: For people with large area burns where serum sulfadiazine levels may approach therapeutic levels, the action of antidiabetic agents and phenytoin may be increased, and it is recommended that blood levels be monitored.
Overgrowth of organisms: The use of antibiotics occasionally results in the overgrowth of organisms that the antibiotics don't kill, such as other bacteria or fungi and organisms. This can cause other infections, such as yeast infections, to develop. If you experience new symptoms while using silver sulfadiazine, contact your doctor.
Skin reactions: Severe, life-threatening skin reactions are possible with the use of this medication. These reactions may start as a skin rash that blisters, sores on the lips or eyes, or covers a large area of the body. It can develop into an exfoliating skin condition, with peeling, shedding, or scaling of the skin. If you experience any of these symptoms, or any other unusual skin reaction of the skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Pregnancy: The safety of silver sulfadiazine has not been established for use during pregnancy. Silver sulfadiazine should only be used by badly burned pregnant people if the benefits outweigh the risks. Silver sulfadiazine should not be used by a pregnant person near term.
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and using silver sulfadiazine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between silver sulfadiazine and any of the following:
- antidiabetes medications
- cimetidine
- enzymatic debriding agents
- phenytoin
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Flamazine
