Sulfacetamide
Description
Sulfacetamide is a sulfonamide antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the eye and to prevent infections after injuries of the eye. This medicine treats the eye infections caused by bacteria only and not by any other organisms.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Sulfacetamide
- Hypersensitivity
- Discharge from eyes
- Burning and stinging
- Conjunctival hyperemia
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Aplastic anemia
- Bleeding and bruising
- Hepatic necrosis
Uses of Sulfacetamide
What is it prescribed for?
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
- Trachoma
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThere is no well-established clinical data available regarding the duration of action of this medicine.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss with the doctor all the potential risks and benefits before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss with the doctor all the potential risks and benefits before using this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to sulfacetamide or any of its components.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss with the doctor all the potential risks and benefits before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss with the doctor all the potential risks and benefits before using this medicine.
General warnings
Topical use only
Sulfacetamide is for topical use only and not for use as an injection.
Use in pediatrics
This medicine is not recommended for use in children less than 2 months old.
Renal impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of kidney disease or active kidney disease due to the increased risk of renal failure. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary, especially if this medicine is used for more than 2 weeks.
Missed Dose
If a dose of Sulfacetamide is missed, instill the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost the time for the next dose, continue with the normal dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact a doctor immediately in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Silver nitrate
Disease interactions
Hematologic toxicity
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of blood disorders or bone marrow disorders due to the increased risk of serious side effects. These side effects may include clotting disorders, methemoglobinemia, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia, or hemolytic anemia. Report any symptoms such as fever, sore throat, bleeding, or pale skin to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of blood cell counts may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Hypersensitivity reactions
Topical use of this medicine may cause serious and rare dermatologic adverse reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Caution is advised while using this medicine in patients with asthma or AIDS, who are at a higher risk of developing these adverse reactions. Report any symptoms such as fever, severe headache, conjunctivitis, or rhinitis to the doctor immediately. Stop the medicine and contact your doctor immediately if any skin reactions appear.
Porphyria
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of porphyria due to an increased risk of development of an acute attack of this disease. Symptoms of an acute attack are severe abdominal pain, chest pain, vomiting, and constipation.
Crystalluria
Topical use of Sulfacetamide is associated with the formation of crystals in the urinary tract, leading to kidney damage. You are advised to drink plenty of fluids during treatment with this medicine to avoid side effects on the kidney. Report any adverse effects such as blood in the urine or difficult or painful urination to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary, especially if this medicine is used for more than 2 weeks.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Strictly follow all the instructions on the label and use Sulfacetamide only as directed. Do not touch the tip of the bottle. Do not use more than what is prescribed or share this medication with other people. It is advised that you should inform the doctor about all the medicines, especially eye medicines, or herbal products that you are using and about all your medical conditions before using this medicine. You are advised to complete the prescribed course of treatment even if the symptoms get better.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Sulfacetamide stops the growth of bacteria by blocking the production of certain components necessary for the bacteria to divide and increase in numbers.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Sulfonamides
Schedule
Schedule H
Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 28 July 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - ISOPTO CETAMIDE- sulfacetamide sodium solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 28 July 2017]. Available from:
Sulfacetamide - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 28 July 2017]. Available from:
Sulfacetamide [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 28 July 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 28 July 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 7 Aug 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.