- What brand names are available for silver sulfadiazine?
- Is silver sulfadiazine available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for silver sulfadiazine?
- What are the uses for silver sulfadiazine?
- What are the side effects of silver sulfadiazine?
- What is the dosage for silver sulfadiazine?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with silver sulfadiazine?
- Is silver sulfadiazine safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about silver sulfadiazine?
What are the uses for silver sulfadiazine?
- Silver sulfadiazine is applied to the skin to treat and prevent wound infections associated with second or third degree burns.
What are the side effects of silver sulfadiazine?
- Since silver sulfadiazine is applied to the surface of the skin, it rarely affects other areas of the body or causes long term side effects.
- Most of the side effects reported with use are short lived and limited to the areas being treated.
- Use of silver sulfadiazine may cause the treated area(s) to be more sensitive to sunlight (photosensitive or sun sensitive). To avoid sunburn, patients must take caution in protecting the affected area(s) from prolonged sun exposure.
- Other rare skin reactions reported with silver sulfadiazine use include
- Rarely, a drop in white blood cells has been reported with silver sulfadiazine therapy. Drop in white blood counts peak within 2-4 days of starting treatment and usually return to normal limits following 2-3 days of onset.
- Patients are advised to speak to their pharmacist or doctor for a complete list of side effects, including those caused by sulfonamides.
What is the dosage for silver sulfadiazine?
For adults, adolescents, children, and infants 2 months of age and older:
- After cleaning and debridement, silver sulfadiazine may be applied to the affected area(s) to a thickness of approximately 1.6 mm (1/16 of an inch) once or twice daily.
- The cream may be reapplied whenever necessary to affected area(s) if it is removed by activity or washing.
- Silver sulfadiazine is not recommended for use in premature neonates or neonates < 2 months of age.
Which drugs or supplements interact with silver sulfadiazine?
:
- Silver sulfadiazine reduces the effect of collagenase (Santyl) ointment which is used for treating dermal ulcers.
- No significant drug interactions with oral medications have been reported with silver sulfadiazine use.

IMAGES
Eczema Browse our medical image collection of allergic skin disorders such as psoriasis and dermatitis and more caused by allergies See ImagesIs silver sulfadiazine safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
:
- Use of topical silver sulfadiazine has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women. Due to the lack of conclusive safety data, silver sulfadiazine should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Silver sulfadiazine is classified as FDA pregnancy risk category B (animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women).
- It is not known if silver sulfadiazine is excreted in breast milk. However, silver sulfadiazine is a sulfonamide and oral sulfonamides are excreted into breast milk and increase the risk of kernicterus, a rare type of brain damage in newborns caused by very high levels of bilirubin. Therefore, use of silver sulfadiazine in females who are breastfeeding is not recommended.
Summary
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene, SSD, SSD AF, Thermazene) is a topical medicaiton prescribed to treat and prevent infections caused by second or third degree burns. Side effects include
Drug interactions; dosage, storage, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
First Aid: Wound Care for Cuts and Scrapes
Wound care treatment at home involves performing cuts and scrapes first aid including cleaning the injury and applying antibiotic...
-
8 First Aid Kit Essentials for Scrapes, Cuts, Bug Bites, and More
Are you always prepared for a first aid crisis? See which basic first aid items to pack to treat minor scrapes, cuts, and stings...
-
Trauma and First Aid Quiz: Training and Supplies
What should be in your first-aid kit? Take this quiz to understand trauma and learn the truth about how to administer first aid.
-
First Aid: Bandaging Injuries and Wounds From Head to Toe
Bandaging a wound like a burn, cut, or scrape requires different techniques depending on which part of the body was hurt. Ace...
-
Picture of Sunburn (First-Degree Burns)
A sunburn is skin damage from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. See a picture of Sunburn (First-Degree Burns) and learn more about...
-
Picture of Sunburn (Second-Degree)
Your skin type affects how easily you become sunburned. See a picture of Sunburn (Second-Degree) and learn more about the health...
-
Sun-Damaged Skin: See Sun Spots, Wrinkles, Sunburns, Skin Cancer
See how sun damaged skin can cause wrinkles, moles, melanoma (skin cancer) and more. Explore images of squamous cell carcinoma...
-
First Aid Quiz: Care for Wounds, Scrapes, Cuts, and Burns
Wound care for cuts and scrapes includes treatment to clean and bandage the injury. Should you use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide,...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Impetigo
Impetigo is a contagious skin infection caused by staph and strep bacteria. There are two types of impetigo: nonbullous and bullous. Symptoms of nonbullous impetigo include small blisters on the nose, face, arms, or legs and possibly swollen glands. Bullous impetigo signs include blisters in various areas, particularly in the buttocks area. Treatment involves gentle cleansing, removing the crusts of popped blisters, and the application of prescription-strength mupirocin antibiotic ointment.
-
Cuts, Scrapes, and Puncture Wounds
Learn about first aid for cuts, scrapes (abrasions), and puncture wounds, when to see a doctor, if tetanus shots are necessary, and how to spot signs of infection.
-
Burns
Burn types are based on their severity: first-degree burns, second-degree burns, and third-degree burns. First-degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The damage is more severe with second-degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. The skin turns white and loses sensation with third-degree burns. Burn treatment depends upon the burn location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
-
Sun-Sensitive Drugs (Photosensitivity to Drugs)
Sun sensitivity (photosensitivity) is an inflammation of the skin induced by the combination of medications or substances and sunlight. The effect on the skin is redness, which looks similar to a sunburn. Generally, these reactions are either phototoxic or photoallergic. Phototoxic drugs are more common than photoallergic drugs. Symptoms of phototoxic reactions are a burning and stinging sensation and then redness. Symptoms of photoallergic reactions are itching, redness, swelling, and blisters of the affected area. Treatment generally is the discontinuation of the medication and topical application of creams. Treatment generally is the discontinuation of the medication and topical application of creams.
-
First Aid: Why You Need a First Aid Kit and CPR
First aid is providing medical assistance to someone a sick or injured person. The type of first aid depends on their condition. Preparedness is key to first aid, like having basic medical emergency kits in your home, car, boat, or RV. Many minor injuries may require first aid, including cuts, puncture wounds, sprains, strains, and nosebleeds. Examples of more critical first aid emergencies include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and heatstroke.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
REFERENCE:
FDA Prescribing Information.