Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine
About
Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine is a dermatological medication, primarily used to treat burns and wound infections. A burn damages 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.
Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine is composed of two drugs: Sulfadiazine (antibiotic) and Chlorhexidine (antiseptic). Sulfadiazine is used to treat or prevent severe infection on areas of skin with second or third-degree burns. It shows the bactericidal (kills bacteria) effect on many gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and is effective against yeast. Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that shows bacteriostatic (stops the reproduction of bacteria) and bactericidal activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It is also effective against yeast and cleans the affected areas by killing harmful microbes.
Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine is for external use only. Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine has common side effects as every medicine does. These include burning, irritation, itching and redness at the application site. These side effects gradually resolve during the treatment and do not require medical attention.
Brief your medical history to the doctor if you are allergic to Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine or its components. Let your doctor know if you have blood disorders, asthma, allergies, diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, or liver and kidney problems. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or are a breastfeeding mother before using Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine.
Uses of Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine
Medicinal Benefits
Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine is used to treat burns and wound infections. It is composed of Sulfadiazine (antibiotic) and Chlorhexidine (antiseptic). Sulfadiazine is used to treat or prevent severe infection on areas of skin with second or third-degree burns. It shows the bactericidal (kills bacteria) effect on many gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and is effective against yeast. Chlorhexidine is used to clean the skin to prevent any infection caused by surgery, injection or skin injury. It shows bacteriostatic (stops the reproduction of bacteria) and bactericidal activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It is also effective against yeast and cleans the affected areas by killing harmful microbes.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine
- Burning
- Irritation
- Itching
- Redness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine, if you are allergic to Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine or its components. Brief your medical history to the doctor, if you have blood disorders, asthma, allergies, diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, liver and kidney problems. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before using Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine since it may affect the unborn baby. It is not known whether Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine passes into breast milk or not. It is advised to seek medical advice before using Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine may interact with local anaesthetic (benoxinate, benzocaine), enzymes (collagenase) and food preservative/anti-hypertensive agent (sodium nitrite).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interaction found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Before using Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine, let your doctor know if have any allergic reactions to Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine, blood disorders, asthma, allergies, diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, liver, kidney problems, an enzyme deficiency and low white blood cell count.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
not applicableNo interactions were found/established.
Pregnancy
cautionThere is limited data on how Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine affects the unborn baby. Please consult your doctor before using Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine if you are breastfeeding. However, if you need to apply Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine to your breasts, do not do it shortly before feeding your baby.
Driving
not applicableSulfadiazine+chlorhexidine is generally safe to use and does not interfere with your driving ability.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine.
Children
cautionThe doctor will recommend Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine depending on your child's severity of burns or wounds.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Cooldown 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 the 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 slows down the healing process.
Burns: A burn damages 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. These include 3 main types, namely, first-degree (also known as superficial burns, which cause minimal damage to the skin), second-degree (extends beyond the top layer of skin and cause blisters) and third-degree burns (most severe burns extending through every layer of skin).
FAQs
Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine treats burns and wound infections. It consists of: Sulfadiazine (antibiotic) and Chlorhexidine (antiseptic). Sulfadiazine is used to treat or prevent severe infection on areas of skin with second or third-degree burns. Chlorhexidine is used to clean the skin to prevent any infection caused by surgery, injection or skin injury.
Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine should be used with proper caution and doctor consultation if you have any blood disorders, asthma, allergies, diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, liver and kidney problems. It is essential to inform your doctor if you have an enzyme deficiency and low white blood cell count.
Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine may cause staining of clothes as it contains Chlorhexidine responsible for staining. Therefore, avoid contact with clothes or fabric.
Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine 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.
Your doctor will decide on the duration of using Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine. However, if you notice unusual side effects like fever, nausea, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the skin and mucosa, please stop using Sulfadiazine+chlorhexidine and consult your doctor.
