Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate
About
Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate belongs to a class of medicines known as 'sulfa antibiotics' 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+zinc Sulfate is made up of two medicines, namely: Sulfadiazine and Zinc Sulfate. Sulfadiazine is a bactericidal antibiotic drug (kills bacteria) acting against broad gram-negative, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. It prevents the bacteria from producing folic acid, a nutrient required for bacterial multiplication, and acts upon bacterial cell walls and cell membranes. This helps decrease the risk of the bacteria spreading to the surrounding skin or the blood that causes a severe blood infection (sepsis). On the other side, Zinc Sulfate is used to improve the zinc deficiency that occurs after burns. Zinc sulfate has antioxidant, and immunomodifier effects that improve burn outcomes help wound healing at a faster rate.
You are advised to use Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate 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+zinc Sulfate or its components. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before using Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate since it may affect the unborn baby. It is not known whether Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate passes into breast milk or not. It is advised to seek medical advice before using Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate if you are a breastfeeding mother. Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate should be used with caution in elderly persons, especially those dealing with kidney and liver issues.
Uses of Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate
Medicinal Benefits
Sulfadiazine present in Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate helps to prevent and treat wound infections in persons dealing with severe burns. This medication stops the growth of bacteria that may be responsible for infecting the wound. It also reduces the risk of spreading the bacterial infection to nearby skin or blood where the infection occurs. On the other hand, Zinc Sulfate is used to improve the zinc deficiency that occurs after burns. Zinc sulfate has antioxidant, and immunomodifier effects that improve burn outcomes help wound healing at a faster rate.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate
- Burning
- Irritation
- Itching
- Redness
- Allergic reaction
- Skin Discolouration
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Brief your medical history to the doctor, if you have blood disorders, asthma, allergies, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, liver and kidney problems. It is essential to let your doctor know if you have an enzyme deficiency and low white blood cell count before using Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate. This medicine can cause severe jaundice that may even damage the brain in the newborn child, if this medicine is taken just before childbirth, thus it is suggested to avoid using Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate in pregnancy.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate may interact with local anesthetic (benoxinate, benzocaine, cocaine, dibucaine, lidocaine, prilocaine, proparacaine, tetracaine), enzymes (collagenase), and food preservative/anti-hypertensive agent (sodium nitrite).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interaction found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Before using Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate, let your doctor know if have any allergic reactions to Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate, blood disorders, asthma, allergies, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, liver, kidney problems, enzyme deficiency, and low white blood cell count.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedNo interaction found/established.
Pregnancy
unsafeSulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate should not be used in late pregnancy. Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate is a pregnancy category C medication that can harm the unborn baby. Should be used only when prescribed by a doctor if he/she thinks the benefits overweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeSulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate should not be used in breastfeeding. Consult your doctor for further advice.
Driving
safe if prescribedSulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate is generally safe to use before driving. However, if you notice any side effects like dizziness or burning sensation at 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 Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate.
Children
cautionSulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate should not be used in children below 2 years of age without consulting with a doctor.
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 jewelry, 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.
Special Advise
- Kidney function monitoring is advised in patients since Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate may affect kidney disease patients with renal impairment.
- It is essential to let your doctor know if you have an enzyme deficiency and low white blood cell count before using Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate.
- Try to keep your burn areas free from water or moisture else it would not heal at a faster rate.
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.
FAQs
Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate treats burns and wound infections. It consists of, Sulfadiazine (antibiotic) and Zinc Sulfate. Sulfadiazine is used to treat or prevent severe infection on areas of the skin. On the other side, Zinc Sulfate is used to improve the zinc deficiency that occurs after burns. Zinc sulfate has antioxidant and immunomodifier effects that improve burn outcomes and do wound healing faster.
Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate is for external use only. Do not swallow the medicine. Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate is available in the form of cream. Take the advised amount of cream with clean and dry hands on the skin's affected areas. Gently massage the medicine into the skin with your fingers. Your doctor will decide on the dose and duration based on your condition.
Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate should be used with proper caution and doctor consultation if you have any blood disorders, asthma, allergies, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, liver and kidney problems. It is essential to inform your doctor if you have an enzyme deficiency and a low white blood cell count.
If you miss a dose of Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate, skip it and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Store Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate at room temperature. Do not freeze and protect from heat. Keep Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate away from sunlight and temperatures not exceeding 30°C.
Your doctor will decide on the duration of using Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate. However, if you notice unusual side effects like fever, nausea, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the skin and mucosa, please stop using Sulfadiazine+zinc Sulfate and consult your doctor.
