Silver sulfadiazine: What is it and what is it for?

What is silver sulfadiazine?

Silver sulfadiazine is a type of active substance, which is included in various commercial or generic drugs. It has antibacterial properties and extends to serve as a treatment for burns and wounds.

What is silver sulfadiazine for?

• Silver sulfadiazine belongs to the group of sulfonamides, that is, a type of antibioticthat prevents infectious agents from synthesizing folate and thus spread throughout theskin area, without touching soft tissues.
• It is used to treat:
  • Second and third degree burn wounds. (1)
  • Growth of bacteria.
  • Gram-positiveandgram-negative bacteria.

Dosage and routes of administration of silver sulfadiazine

The presentations of silver sulfadiazine drugs are mostly in creams or 1% sprays, idealfor carefully treating burn wounds. The doses of silver sulfadiazine are represented as follows:

• Adults: Apply 1 to 2 times a day to the burn area, topically or with a spray. It is recommended to do it every 4 to 6 hours for deeply affected wounds.
• Children over 2 years old: Topically, place an application of cream 1 or 2 times a day, for light or deep burns against bacteria.

Note: It is important tocarefully disinfect burned areas in addition to bandaging afterwards and treatment should not be stopped if the infection continues.

What products contain silver sulfadiazine?

Some of the medicines that contain silver sulfadiazine are:

• Silvederma®
• Flammazine®
• Argentafil®
• Argental®

Silvederma®

• Silvederma® is a type of 1% cream with a topical application , it has the active metabolite of silver sulfadiazine and is marketed by Aldo Union Laboratories. (two)
• In addition to treating burns, it can be applied to varicose ulcers depending on the infection found.
• It is recommended, before using it, to clean the wound and have bandages on hand when the treatment has finished.

Flammazine®

• Flammazine® is patented by Sinclair Pharma Laboratories. (3)
• It is composed of active substances such as silver sulfadiazine, cetyl alcohol and also propylene glycol.
• It is effective as an antibacterial in cases of second or third degree burns, as well as treating existing ulcers.

Argentafil®

• Argentafil® is a type of 1% cream medication , manufactured by Bausch Health Companies Laboratories . (4)
• It is composed of the silver sulfadiazine metabolite, treating burns or infections caused by gram – positive and
• The affected area should be bandaged after using the cream on the wound.

Argental®

• Argental® is generally a cream or powder , made by Sued Laboratories. (5)
• In the case of powder, it is recommended to apply 1 to 2 times a day topically.

Silver Sulfadiazine Side Effects

Silver sulfadiazine has mild but recognizable side effects, which occur infrequentlyin certain patients. However, you should be aware of the following reactions:

• Pruritus (itching).
• Leukopenia (low level of white blood cells in the blood).
• Dermatitis.
• Discoloration on the skin.

Important: You must stop the administration of medicines with this active substance, if the adverse effects are prolonged .

Contraindications and warnings of silver sulfadiazine

Silver sulfadiazine has certain warnings about its administration in some patients with relevant diseasestag. Therefore, it is contraindicated in these cases:

• Hypersensitization to the active substance.
• Newborn children.
• stage

Avoid if you have:

• Liver failure.
• Renal insufficiency.
• Steven Johnson Syndrome.
• Chronic epidermal necrolysis.

Warnings:

• Do not administer directly into the eyeballs.
• Do not expose yourself directly to the sun’s rays.
• It is not recommended to administer to pregnant women.
• The effects in children with haemolytic anemia are unknown.
• It should be used sparingly, as it prolongs the time it takes to heal naturally.