Silver Sulfadiazine
About
Silver Sulfadiazine is an antibiotic medication primarily used to treat bacterial infections and wound infections caused by serious burns. Silver Sulfadiazine is also used to treat infected leg ulcers and pressure sores. A burn is damage to the skin or deeper tissues caused by hot liquids, fire, electricity, and chemicals. The degree of severity of burns is based on the size and depth of the burn.
Silver Sulfadiazine contains Silver Sulfadiazine, which belongs to the class of 'sulfa antibiotics.' It is bactericidal (kills bacteria) and is also effective against yeast. It inhibits the production of folic acid, a nutrient required for bacterial multiplication and acts on the bacterial cell wall and cell membrane. This helps decrease the risk of the bacteria spreading to the surrounding skin or the blood that causes a severe blood infection (sepsis).
Silver Sulfadiazine is for external use only. Silver Sulfadiazine has common side effects that include burning, irritation, itching, and redness at the application site. These side effects gradually resolve during the treatment and do not require medical attention.
Please cover the burn wounds with Silver Sulfadiazine all the time and cover the treated area with dressings or bandages if advised by your doctor. Let your doctor know if you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (a genetic enzyme) deficiency, low white blood cell count, liver and kidney problems before using Silver Sulfadiazine. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before using Silver Sulfadiazine since it may affect the unborn baby. It is advised to seek medical advice if you are a breastfeeding mother before you use Silver Sulfadiazine.
Uses of Silver Sulfadiazine
Medicinal Benefits
Silver Sulfadiazine is used to treat bacterial infections, burns, and wound infections. It consists of Silver Sulfadiazine. It shows the bactericidal (kills bacteria) effect on many gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and is also effective against yeast. It prevents the bacteria from producing folic acid, a nutrient required for bacterial multiplication and acts upon bacterial cell wall and cell membrane. This helps decrease the risk of the bacteria spreading to the surrounding skin or the blood that causes a severe blood infection (sepsis).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Silver Sulfadiazine
- Burning
- Irritation
- Itching
- Redness at the application site
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Wear sterile disposable gloves if you apply Silver Sulfadiazine for others and keep the treated area clean to prevent further infection. Do not apply Silver Sulfadiazine in large amounts or use it for a longer time than advised, as it does not give quick or better results but increases the risk of side effects. Please cover the burn wounds with Silver Sulfadiazine all the time and cover the treated area with dressings or bandages if advised by your doctor. Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (a genetic enzyme) deficiency, low white blood cell count (leukopenia), liver, and kidney problems. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before using Silver Sulfadiazine. It is advised to seek medical advice before using Silver Sulfadiazine if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Silver Sulfadiazine may interact with anti-diabetics, local anaesthetics (benoxinate, benzocaine, cocaine, dibucaine, lidocaine, prilocaine, proparacaine, tetracaine), fits medicines (phenytoin), anti-ulcer drugs (cimetidine), enzymes (collagenase), and antioxidants (sodium nitrite).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interaction found/established.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before using Silver Sulfadiazine, let your doctor know if you have any allergic reactions to Silver Sulfadiazine, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (a genetic enzyme) deficiency, kidney or liver problems, and low white blood cell count.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Silver Sulfadiazine with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Silver Sulfadiazine.
Pregnancy
cautionThere is limited information on how Silver Sulfadiazine affects pregnancy. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant before using Silver Sulfadiazine.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Silver Sulfadiazine if you are breastfeeding. However, if you need to apply Silver Sulfadiazine to your breasts, do not do it shortly before feeding your baby.
Driving
not applicableSilver Sulfadiazine is generally safe to use before driving. However, if you notice any side effects like dizziness or burning sensation in the affected areas, avoid driving and operating machinery until you feel better.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Silver Sulfadiazine.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Silver Sulfadiazine.
Children
cautionSilver Sulfadiazine is not recommended for premature babies or any child younger than two months old. Your doctor will advise Silver Sulfadiazine depending on your child's severity of burns or wounds.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Cool down the burn immediately by placing it under running water or apply a cool and wet compress until the pain decreases.
- Remove any accessories like jewellery, belts, and tight clothing you are wearing since burns can swell quickly.
- Consider getting a tetanus shot.
- Avoid harsh products on your skin.
- Do not scratch or pick your skin to avoid getting the affected area infected.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Do not walk barefoot at places like gym showers to prevent bacterial infections.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Skin infection: A skin infection can occur when the skin is broken, cut or wounded. This skin infection allows pathogenic microorganisms to enter and invade the tissues surrounding the wound. Infection of the wound can trigger the body's immune response, causing inflammation and tissue damage and eventually slowing down the healing process.
Burn: A burn is a damage to the skin or deeper tissues that can be caused by hot liquids, fire, electricity, and chemicals. The degree of severity of burns is based on the size and depth of the burn.
Bacterial infection: Bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and causes illness. Bacteria may be gram-positive (have thick cell walls) or gram-negative (do not have a cell wall).
FAQs
Silver Sulfadiazine consists of Silver Sulfadiazine (antibiotic). It prevents and treats severe wound infections on skin areas with burns. It works by killing the bacteria and preventing its multiplication on the skin surface.
Silver Sulfadiazine may cause itching of the skin at the site of application as a temporary side effect. However, if the itching persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Silver Sulfadiazine should be used with proper caution and doctor consultation if you have any glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (a genetic enzyme) deficiency, low white blood cell count (Leukopenia), liver and kidney problems.
Store Silver Sulfadiazine at room temperature. Do not freeze and protect from heat. Keep Silver Sulfadiazine away from sunlight and temperatures not exceeding 30°C.
Your doctor will decide on the duration of using Silver Sulfadiazine. Please do not stop using Silver Sulfadiazine until your course is completed. If you do not notice any improvement even after a week, please seek medical advice. If you also experience any unusual side effects like fever, nausea, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the skin and mucosa, please stop using Silver Sulfadiazine and consult your doctor.
