What is Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.