Sodium Sulfacetamide and Sulfur Wash

Dosage form: topical liquid
Drug class:Topical antibiotics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 21, 2022.

Disclaimer: This drug has not been found by FDA to be safe and effective, and this labeling has not been approved by FDA. For further information about unapproved drugs, click here.

Rx Only

FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR OPHTHALMIC USE.

Sodium Sulfacetamide and Sulfur Wash Description

Each gram of Sodium Sulfacetamide 10% and Sulfur 5% Cleanser contains 100 mg of sodium sulfacetamide and 50 mg of sulfur in a formulation containing ammonium lauryl sulfate, butylated hydroxytoluene, cetyl alcohol, cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium EDTA, glycerin, glyceryl stearate SE, guar gum, methylparaben, PEG-100 stearate, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water, sodium thiosulfate, stearyl alcohol, triacetin.

Sodium sulfacetamide is a sulfonamide with antibacterial activity while sulfur acts as a keratolytic agent. Chemically sodium sulfacetamide is N-[(4-aminophenyl) sulfonyl]-acetamide, monosodium salt, monohydrate. The structural formula is:

Sodium Sulfacetamide and Sulfur Wash - Clinical Pharmacology

The most widely accepted mechanism of action of sulfonamides is the Woods-Fildes theory, which is based on the fact that sulfonamides act as competitive antagonists to para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), an essential component for bacterial growth. While absorption through intact skin has not been determined, sodium sulfacetamide is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract when taken orally and excreted in the urine, largely unchanged. The biological half-life has variously been reported as 7 to 12.8 hours. The exact mode of action of sulfur in the treatment of acne is known, but it has been reported that it inhibits the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and the formation of free fatty acids.

INDICATIONS

Sodium Sulfacetamide 10% and Sulfur 5% Cleanser is indicated in the topical control of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.

Contraindications

Sodium Sulfacetamide 10% and Sulfur 5% Cleanser is contraindicated for use by patients havi...