Dosing & Uses
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
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results
Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor
Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (0)
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)
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Local irritation
Pruritus
Erythema
Itching
Edema
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
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.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
Images
Formulary
Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
To view formulary information first create a list of plans. Your list will be saved and can be edited at any time.
Adding plans allows you to:
- View the formulary and any restrictions for each plan.
- Manage and view all your plans together – even plans in different states.
- Compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
- Access your plan list on any device – mobile or desktop.
