sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur (Rx)

Brand and Other Names:Sulfacet R, Prascion Cleanser, more...Avar, Avar LS, Avar-E, Avar-E LS, Cerisa Wash, Clarifoam EF, Claris Clarifying Wash, Clenia Foaming Wash, Clenia Emollient Cream, Prascion FC Facial Cleansing Cloths, Prascion RA with Sunscreens, Rosaderm Cleanser, Rosanil Cleanser, Sumadan Wash, Sumaxan Cleansing Pads, Sumaxin TS, Sumaxin Wash, Zencia Wash, Rosula, Rosula Wash

Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatric

Dosage Forms & Strengths

sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur

topical cream

  • 10%/2% (Avar-E LS)
  • 10%/5% (Clenia Emollient Cream, Avar-E)

topical cream with sunscreen

  • 10%/5% (Prascion RA with Sunscreens)

topical foam

  • 10%/5% (Clarifoam EF)

cleanser

  • 8%/4% (Sumaxin TS)
  • 9%/4% (Sumaxin Wash, Zencia Wash)
  • 9%/4.5% (Sumadan Wash)
  • 10%/1% (Cerisa Wash)
  • 10%/2% (Avar LS)
  • 10%/4% (Claris Clarifying Wash, Sumaxin Cleansing Pads)
  • 10%/4.5% (Rosula Wash)
  • 10%/5% (Prascion Cleanser, Prascion FC Facial Cleansing Cloths, Rosaderm Cleanser, Rosanil Cleanser, Clenia Foaming Wash, Avar)

Cleansing Cloth

  • 10%/5% (Rosula)

Acne

Indicated in the topical control of acne vulgaris and rosacea

Cream: Cleanse thoroughly with soap and water before applying thin layer to affected areas qDay/TID PRN

Foam: Cleanse thoroughly before massaging foam into affected area qDay-BID; if removing, rinse off after 1-2 minutes

Cleanser: Apply to wet skin and massage gently qDay/BID; rinse thoroughly and pat dry

Cleansing Pads: Apply wet pad to wet skin and work into full lather for 10-20 seconds, avoiding eyes; rinse thoroughly and pat dry; discard used

To minimize potential dryness, start with 1 application daily, then gradually increase to 2-3 times daily as needed

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Indicated in the topical control of acne vulgaris and rosacea

Cream: Cleanse thoroughly with soap and water before applying thin layer to affected areas qDay/TID PRN

Foam: Cleanse thoroughly before massaging foam into affected area qDay-BID; if removing, rinse off after 1-2 minutes

Cleanser: Apply to wet skin and massage gently qDay/BID; rinse thoroughly and pat dry

Cleansing Pads: Apply wet pad to wet skin and work into full lather for 10-20 seconds, avoiding eyes; rinse thoroughly and pat dry; discard used

To minimize potential dryness, start with 1 application daily, then gradually increase to 2-3 times daily as needed

Dosage Forms & Strengths

sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur

topical cream

  • 10%/2% (Avar-E LS)
  • 10%/5% (Clenia Emollient Cream, Avar-E)

topical cream with sunscreen

  • 10%/5% (Prascion RA with Sunscreens)

topical foam

  • 10%/5% (Clarifoam EF)

cleanser

  • 8%/4% (Sumaxin TS)
  • 9%/4% (Sumaxin Wash, Zencia Wash)
  • 9%/4.5% (Sumadan Wash)
  • 10%/1% (Cerisa Wash)
  • 10%/2% (Avar LS)
  • 10%/4% (Claris Clarifying Wash, Sumaxin Cleansing Pads)
  • 10%/4.5% (Rosula Wash)
  • 10%/5% (Prascion Cleanser, Prascion FC Facial Cleansing Cloths, Rosaderm Cleanser, Rosanil Cleanser, Clenia Foaming Wash, Avar)

Cleansing Cloth

  • 10%/5% (Rosula)

Acne Vulgaris

Adolescents

Cream: Cleanse thoroughly with soap and water before applying thin layer to affected areas qDay/TID PRN

Foam: Cleanse thoroughly before massaging foam into affected area qDay-BID; if removing, rinse off after 1-2 minutes

Cleanser: Apply to wet skin and massage gently qDay/BID; rinse thoroughly and pat dry

Cleansing Pads: Apply wet pad to wet skin and work into full lather for 10-20 seconds, avoiding eyes; rinse thoroughly and pat dry; discard used

To minimize potential dryness, start with 1 application daily, then gradually increase to 2-3 times daily as needed

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Interactions

Interaction Checker

and sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur

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                Monitor Closely (1)

                • silver nitrate

                  silver nitrate decreases effects of sodium sulfacetamide by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Topical preparations are physically incompatible.

                Minor (0)

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                  Adverse Effects

                  Frequency Not Defined

                  Local irritation

                  Pruritus

                  Erythema

                  Itching

                  Edema

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                  Warnings

                  Contraindications

                  Hypersensitivity to sulfa drugs

                  Cautions

                  External use only

                  Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes

                  Avoid UV exposure

                  Severe reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias reported

                  Sulfur may cause reddening and scaling of epidermis; at first sign of hypersensitivity or if skin irritation develops or increases, discontinue use and consult a physician

                  Sensitizations may recur when sulfonamide is readministered, irrespective of route of administration; sensitivity reactions reported in individuals with no prior history of sulfonamide hypersensitivity

                  Prolonged use of topical antibacterial agents may give rise to overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms including fungi; bacterial resistance to sulfonamides may also develop

                  The effectiveness of sulfonamides may be reduced by para-aminobenzoic acid present in purulent exudates

                  Drug interaction overview

                  • Sulfacetamide preparations are incompatible with silver preparations
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                  Pregnancy & Lactation

                  Pregnancy

                  Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with sulfonamide ophthalmic preparations; kernicterus may occur in newborn as a result of treatment of pregnant woman at term with orally administered sulfonamides

                  There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of sulfonamide ophthalmic preparations in pregnant women, and it is not known whether topically applied sulfonamides can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman

                  This product should be used in pregnancy only if potential benefit justifies potential risk to fetus

                  Lactation

                  Systemically administered sulfonamides are capable of producing kernicterus in infants of lactating women; because of potential for development of kernicterus in neonates, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue drug taking into account importance of drug to mother

                  Pregnancy Categories

                  A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

                  B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

                  C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

                  D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

                  X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

                  NA: Information not available.

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                  Pharmacology

                  Mechanism of Action

                  Sulfacetamide: Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) inhibitor; restricts folic acid synthesis required for bacterial growth

                  Sulfur: Elicits antiseptic, antiparasitic, antiseborrheic, and keratolytic actions

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                  Images

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                  Patient Handout

                  A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.
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                  Formulary

                  FormularyPatient Discounts

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                  Tier Description
                  1 This drug is available at the lowest co-pay. Most commonly, these are generic drugs.
                  2 This drug is available at a middle level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "preferred" (on formulary) brand drugs.
                  3 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs.
                  4 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                  5 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                  6 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
                  NC NOT COVERED – Drugs that are not covered by the plan.
                  Code Definition
                  PA Prior Authorization
                  Drugs that require prior authorization. This restriction requires that specific clinical criteria be met prior to the approval of the prescription.
                  QL Quantity Limits
                  Drugs that have quantity limits associated with each prescription. This restriction typically limits the quantity of the drug that will be covered.
                  ST Step Therapy
                  Drugs that have step therapy associated with each prescription. This restriction typically requires that certain criteria be met prior to approval for the prescription.
                  OR Other Restrictions
                  Drugs that have restrictions other than prior authorization, quantity limits, and step therapy associated with each prescription.
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                  Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.