Silver Sulfadiazine (Silvadene Burn Cream) Side Effects & Uses

Silvadene, SSD, SSD AF, Thermazene

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

Yes

Silver sulfadiazine is applied to the skin to treat and prevent wound infections associated with second or third degree burns.

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
- skin necrosis (skin death),
- redness,
- burning sensation of the treated area(s),
- itching,
- rash, and
- brownish-gray skin discoloration.
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.

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.

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.

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.