sulfacetamide / sulfur
Sulfacetamide / sulfur is a prescription topical skin product that's used to treat acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis. It's available as a generic medication as well as under many brand names, including Plexion, Avar, and Clenia Plus. It comes in different dosage forms, such as a cleanser, cream, lotion, face wash, and cloth. The medication is usually applied 1-3 times a day, and can be used by people 12 years and older. Side effects aren't common, but can include skin irritation in the area where it's applied.
What is Sulfacetamide / sulfur?
What is Sulfacetamide / sulfur used for?
How Sulfacetamide / sulfur works
Sulfacetamide / sulfur is a combination of two medications.
- Sulfacetamide is a sulfa antibiotic that prevents bacteria from growing and multiplying.
- Sulfur is a keratolytic agent that stops bacteria from growing and causes old skin to shed and renew.
Drug facts
Side effects of Sulfacetamide / sulfur
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
See Risks and Warnings
Less Common Side Effects
- Irritation of treated skin
Sulfacetamide / sulfur serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: hives, swelling of your face or throat, trouble breathing
- Severe skin reaction: reddening or peeling of the skin, painful rashes, and fluid-filled blisters
The following Sulfacetamide / sulfur side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Lupus-like syndrome—joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, butterfly-shaped rash on the face, rashes that get worse in the sun, fever, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
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Pros and cons of Sulfacetamide / sulfur
Pros
- Applied directly to the affected area(s) on the skin
- Available in many different formulations, such as lotion, cream, cleanser, cloths, and foam
- Available as a lower-cost, generic medication
Cons
- Might need to apply multiple times per day
- Not be the best option if you're allergic to sulfa medications
- Not FDA approved for children under the age of 12 years old
Pharmacist tips for Sulfacetamide / sulfur
- Each formulation of sulfacetamide / sulfur is used slightly differently. Read and follow the directions on your medication carefully to make sure you use it correctly.
- Don't apply sulfacetamide / sulfur to cuts, scrapes, or damaged skin. Also, don't allow sulfacetamide / sulfur to come in contact with your mouth, nose, eyes, or mucous membranes since doing so can cause irritation.
- Although rare, sulfacetamide / sulfur can cause a serious skin reaction. Let your dermatologist know right away if you develop a blistering rash or reddening or peeling of the skin.
- If you develop arthritis, fever, or sores in the mouth, stop sulfacetamide / sulfur right away and let your dermatologist know.
- If your condition becomes worse or if you develop a rash in another area of the skin, stop taking sulfacetamide / sulfur and contact your dermatologist.
- Sulfacetamide / sulfur might have an offensive odor since it contains sulfur, so allow for air circulation.
- Sulfacetamide / sulfur can discolor clothing, especially white fabric. Luckily, you can usually remove stains by washing them in the laundry.
- Store sulfacetamide / sulfur at room temperature. If the product slightly darkens in color, it's still okay to use since it doesn't affect its efficacy.
Common questions about Sulfacetamide / sulfur
Skin purging is the process of replacing old skin cells with new skin cells. This can cause your skin to get worse for a short period of time before it gets better. Skin purging might happen with sulfacetamide / sulfur because it replaces old skin cells with new skin cells. Contact your dermatologist if you're not sure you're experiencing worsening acne or skin purging from this medication.
Sulfacetamide / sulfur lotion can be applied 1-3 times a day to the affected areas of your skin. Before applying the product, clean the area(s) on the skin. Then apply a thin layer by massaging the lotion into your skin.
Yes. Sulfacetamide, an ingredient in sulfacetamide / sulfur, belongs to a class of medications known as sulfa antibiotics. Don't use sulfacetamide / sulfur if you have allergies to "sulfa" medications.
It might take up to 12 weeks for you to see effects of sulfacetamide / sulfur. Results may be different for each person depending on the severity and the skin condition you're treating. Follow all instructions provided by your prescriber closely.
No, sulfacetamide / sulfur is only available with a prescription from a healthcare professional (HCP).
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Risks and warnings for Sulfacetamide / sulfur
Sulfacetamide / sulfur can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reaction
- Risk factors: Sulfonamide allergy
Sulfacetamide / sulfur is a sulfonamides antibiotic, they have been known to cause rare, but severe, allergic reactions. This can lead to blood disorders and skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Symptoms of SJS can include reddening or peeling of the skin, painful rashes, and fluid-filled blisters. Symptoms of SLE can range from a rash to joint pain. Get medical help right away if you experience trouble breathing, rash or hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or mouth. Let your care team know of all your allergies before using sulfacetamide / sulfur.
Sulfacetamide / sulfur dosage
Bottle of cleanser| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 oz of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $25.36 | $25.36 |
| 6 oz of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $15.41 | $15.41 |
| 8 oz of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $24.34 | $24.34 |
| 8 oz of 10%/2% | 1 bottle | $77.64 | $77.64 |
| 10 oz of 9.8%/4.8% | 1 bottle | $22.23 | $22.23 |
| 16 oz of 9%/4.5% | 1 bottle | $42.88 | $42.88 |
| 16 oz of 9%/4% | 1 bottle | $83.07 | $83.07 |
| 16 oz of 8%/4% | 1 bottle | $42.59 | $42.59 |
Bottle of cream| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57g of 9.8%/4.8% | 1 bottle | $124.92 | $124.92 |
| 57g of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $39.57 | $39.57 |
| 28g of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $53.40 | $53.40 |
Bottle of emulsion| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 177ml of 10%/1% | 1 bottle | $10.82 | $10.82 |
Bottle of lotion| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30g of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $71.58 | $71.58 |
| 60g of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $138.66 | $138.66 |
| 25g of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $60.40 | $60.40 |
| 57g of 9.8%/4.8% | 1 bottle | $124.92 | $124.92 |
Bottle of suspension| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 473ml of 8%/4% | 1 bottle | $45.79 | $45.79 |
| 1 oz of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $68.92 | $68.92 |
| 8oz of 9%/4.25% | 1 bottle | $566.99 | $566.99 |
Bottle of wash| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 oz of 9%/4.5% | 1 bottle | $42.88 | $42.88 |
| 16 oz of 9%/4% | 1 bottle | $84.49 | $84.49 |
Can of foam| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60g of 10%/5% | 1 can | $140.49 | $140.49 |
| 100g of 10%/5% | 1 can | $227.48 | $227.48 |
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| (2) 6 oz tubes of 10%/5% cleanser | 1 carton | $36.63 | $36.63 |
| 60 cleansing cloths of 9.8%/4.8% | 1 carton | $131.69 | $131.69 |
Tube of cleanser| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 oz of 10%/5% | 1 tube | $23.67 | $23.67 |
Typical dosage for Sulfacetamide / sulfur
- Cream: Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) of the skin 1 to 3 times a day.
- Lotion, suspension: Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) of the skin 1 to 2 times a day.
- Cleanser, cleansing cloth/pads: Wash the affected area(s) of the skin 1 to 2 times a day.
- Emollient foam: Apply to affected area(s) of the skin 1 to 2 times a day. The foam may remain on the skin or may be rinsed off after 1 to 2 minutes.
How much does Sulfacetamide / sulfur cost?
$10.82
Sulfacetamide / sulfur contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Sulfacetamide / sulfur will not be safe for you to take.
- Kidney problems
- Allergy to sulfa medications
What are alternatives to Sulfacetamide / sulfur?
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