Sulfacetamide Sodium

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used as a treatment for a variety of bacterial infections of the eye. It is used for conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and other eye infections.
• It is used for skin infections, scaling dermatosis (seborrheic), dermatitis, dandruff.

How does it work?

• Sulfacetamide sodium affects a vitamin called folic acid and its activity in bacteria causing destruction of its metabolic function in the bacteria.

How is it best taken?

Eye:

• For the eye only.
• Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
• Do not touch the bottle or tube tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.

Solution:

• Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
• After using medicine keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps medicine in the eye.
• Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes before using the next.

Ointment:

• Place medicine inside the lower lid. Close the eye for 1-2 minutes. Roll eyeball around.
• Separate each eye medicine by 10 minutes. Give one and wait 10 minutes before using the next.

Skin:

• Do not take by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• Keep away form mouth, eyes, and other mucous membranes.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Apply to clean skin.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Eye:

• Instill a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not instill a double dose or extra doses.

Skin:

• Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine, especially antibiotics or sulfas. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

Eye:

• Headache.
• Local irritation, burning, or stinging.

Skin:

• Rash.
• Irritation, burning.

What should I monitor?

• Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the same?

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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