Sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur (also called sulfacetamide-sulfur) is a combination topical prescription drug for people with acne, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis. It combines an antibacterial sulfa drug (sulfacetamide sodium) with sulfur, which helps peel away dead skin. Sulfacetamide-sulfur is not FDA-approved, so dosages and instructions may vary between products.
Check our best Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur prices
Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur overview
BRAND NAMES:
Avar, BP 10-1. Clenia Plus, Plexion, Rosula, SSS Cleanser, Sumaxin
Generic Names:
Sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur
Uses:
Treats acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis (scaly areas on your skin)
Therapeutic Classes:
Topical sulfonamide, topical antibacterial, keratolytic, antiacne, antiseborrheic
Forms:
Suspension, emulsion, cream, lotion, foam, cleansing pad
How it’s taken:
On the skin
What is Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur used for?
Doctors prescribe sulfacetamide-sulfur formulations to treat acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis.
What form(s) does Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur come in?
Suspension (liquid)
10% sulfacetamide/5% sulfur (most common)
10%/2%
9.8%/4.8%
9%/4.5%
9%/4.25%
8%/4%
Emulsion
10%/5%
9%/4.5%
Cream
10%/5%
10%/2%
10%/1%
Lotion
10%/5%
9.8%/4.8%
9%/4.5%
Foam
10%/5%
Cleansing pads
10%/4%
What are common Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur dosages?
For acne, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis: Apply to the face or massage into the affected skin once or twice daily
Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur images - What does Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur look like?
Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
170.3gm of 10-5% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
170gm of 10-5% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
25gm of 10-5% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
28gm of 10-5% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
30gm of 10-5% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
340.2gm of 10-5% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
340gm of 10-5% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
454gm of 9-4.5% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
473ml of 8-4% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
473ml of 9-4% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
57gm of 10-2% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
57gm of 10-5% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
57gm of 9.8-4.8% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
60gm of 10-5% bottleSulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
60 pad box
How to take Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
Follow all the prescriber’s instructions.
Please read and follow the instructions that come with the medicine.
Dosages and instructions are not FDA-approved, so there are significant variations between products on how much product to use, how often to use it, and how to administer doses.
Please ask the prescriber about these issues and whether the medicine will be used as a wash-off or leave-on application.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying this medicine.
Apply doses once or twice daily.
Some products instruct patients to apply the medicine up to three times daily.
Apply the medicine to the face or the affected skin.
Most products are applied only to the affected skin.
Some products are applied to the entire face.
Use only the amount per the instructions.
Most products are applied in a thin layer.
Some products are applied to the skin liberally.
Spread the product over the skin.
Wet or rinse the skin before application.
Most products are simply applied to the skin.
Some products are gently massaged into the skin for 10 to 20 seconds.
Some products are massaged into a lather on the skin.
Do not get this medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Rinse this medicine off and pat dry the skin after application.
Some products are immediately rinsed off after application.
Some products should remain on the skin for one or two minutes before rinsing off the medicine.
Some products should remain on the skin for 10 minutes before rinsing off the medicine.
Some products are “leave-on” products that are not rinsed off. The prescriber may instruct you to leave the medicine on even if the instructions say otherwise.
When using sulfacetamide-sulfur suspension, shake the bottle well before applying a dose.
When using sulfacetamide-sulfur foam, shake the can vigorously and then tap the bottom of the can on a tabletop one or two times before each use.
Hold the can upright when dispensing foam onto your hand.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature. Do not freeze.
What to do if you miss a dose of Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
Ask the prescriber how to handle missed doses.
As a general rule, take a missed dose as soon as it’s remembered.
If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as intended.
Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur contraindications - Who shouldn't take Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur?
You should not use this medicine if you have:
Kidney disease
Known allergies to sulfa drugs, sulfur, or any of the ingredients in the product.
Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur warnings
Your healthcare provider will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
Tell other healthcare professionals treating you that you are using this medicine.
Before using this medicine, tell the prescriber if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Though rare, this medicine can cause severe allergic or drug reactions. Stop using this medicine and contact the prescriber if you experience:
Skin irritation
Skin rash on the treated skin or elsewhere
Arthritis
Fever
Sores in the mouth
Do not let this medicine get on your eyes, eyelids, or mucous membranes.
If this happens, immediately rinse with water.
Avoid using this medicine in children younger than 12.
Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur interactions & what to avoid when taking Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur
Before using this medicine, tell the prescriber about all the drugs, supplements, and skincare products you regularly use.
Tell other healthcare professionals that you are using sulfacetamide-sulfur.
Sulfacetamide should not be used with wound treatments containing silver.
Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur side effects - How does Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur make you feel?
Serious Side Effects
Talk to a healthcare provider if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect of sulfacetamide-sulfur, including:
Severe skin rash, burning, or blistering.
Joint pain, mouth sores, fever
Allergic reaction: Skin irritation, skin rash, skin redness
Less Serious Side Effects
Mild stinging
Itching
Sensitivity to sunlight
Sources:
Avar drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference (PDR)
Sodium sulfacetamide 9.8% and sulfur 4.8% emulsion prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 2% cleanser prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 2% emollient cream prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 2% emollient foam prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Sodium sulfacetamide liquid prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Sumaxin cleansing pads sulfacetamide sodium and sulfur cloth prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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