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sulfacetamide / sulfur
Used for Acne, Rosacea, Seborrheic Dermatitis
Used for Acne, Rosacea, Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sulfacetamide / sulfur is a prescription skin product used to treat acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis. It contains sulfacetamide, an antibiotic, and sulfur, which helps remove dead skin cells. The medication comes in several forms and strengths, including cleansers (washes), creams, lotions, suspensions, and cloths. Depending on the product, it's typically used one to three times a day. Side effects include skin redness, dryness, and irritation.
What is Sulfacetamide / sulfur?
What is Sulfacetamide / sulfur used for?
How Sulfacetamide / sulfur works
Sulfacetamide / sulfur is a combination of two medications that work in different ways to treat skin conditions.
- Sulfacetamide is a sulfa antibiotic that blocks bacteria from making a substance they need to grow.
- Sulfur is a keratolytic agent which means it helps loosen and remove dead skin cells. It's also thought to slow the growth of bacteria that can cause acne.
When does Sulfacetamide / sulfur start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Plexion, Avar, Clenia Plus |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Sulfonamide / keratolytic agent |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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
- Skin irritation
- Skin Redness
- Dry skin
Less Common Side Effects
- Itching
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, fever
- Drug-induced lupus: joint pain, muscle pain, fever, tiredness, new rash
When do Sulfacetamide / sulfur possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Skin irritation
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
Get your GoodRx coupon
$216.68
GoodRx discount
$18.50
Pros and cons of Sulfacetamide / sulfur
Pros
- Combines two medications with different actions
- Applied directly to affected skin
- Available in several topical forms
Cons
- Might need to apply multiple times per day
- Can cause dryness, redness, or peeling
- Not the best option if you're allergic to sulfa medications
Pharmacist tips for Sulfacetamide / sulfur
- Don't apply sulfacetamide / sulfur to cuts, scrapes, or damaged skin. Keep it away from your eyes, nose, mouth, and other sensitive areas because it can cause irritation.
- Mild redness, dryness, or peeling can happen while using sulfacetamide / sulfur. Stop using it and contact your prescriber if the irritation becomes severe or your skin develops a painful rash or blisters.
- 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 contains sulfur, so it might have a strong or unpleasant odor. Using it in a well-ventilated area can help.
- Sulfacetamide / sulfur can discolor clothing, especially white fabric. Luckily, you can usually remove stains by washing them in the laundry.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: It's not known whether sulfacetamide / sulfur is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk with your prescriber before using it if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Storage: Keep sulfacetamide / sulfur at room temperature. A slight change in color can be normal and doesn't mean the product has stopped working.
How to use sulfacetamide / sulfur
- Cleansers: Wet your skin before using the cleanser. Gently massage the cleanser onto the affected area for 10 to 20 seconds, work it into a lather, and rinse well with water and pat dry.
- Cleansing cloths/pads: Wet your skin and the cleansing cloth with water. Rub the cloth until it forms a lather, then gently massage it onto your skin for 10 to 20 seconds. Rinse your skin well and gently pat it dry.
- Creams and lotions: Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin. Gently rub it in until it's evenly spread over the affected area.
- Suspension: Wet your skin, then apply enough to cover the area you're washing. Gently massage it into your skin for 10 to 20 seconds until it forms a lather, then rinse well and pat your skin dry.
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.
Allergic reaction
- Risk factors: Sulfonamide allergy
Although rare, Sulfacetamide / sulfur can cause serious allergic reactions throughout your body, even though it's applied to your skin. These can include blood problems, fever, liver problems, and severe skin reactions. Stop using sulfacetamide / sulfur and get medical help right away if you have a fever, widespread rash, unusual bruising or bleeding, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Severe skin reaction
- Risk factors: Sulfonamide allergy
Sulfacetamide / sulfur can rarely cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a serious and potentially life-threatening skin reaction. Symptoms can include fever, a painful rash, blisters, peeling skin, mouth sores, or eye irritation. Stop using the medication and get medical help right away if you develop these symptoms.
Drug-induced lupus
Sulfacetamide / sulfur can rarely cause drug-induced lupus, a condition where a medication causes lupus-like symptoms. These can include fever, joint or muscle pain, severe tiredness, and a new rash. Stop using the medication and contact your care team if you develop these symptoms.
Sulfacetamide / sulfur dosage
The average cost for 1 bottle of 8 oz of 10%/5% of Sulfacetamide / sulfur is $21.63 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 94.29% off the average retail price of $378.66. 
Bottle of cleanser
Bottle of cream
Bottle of emulsion
Bottle of lotion
Bottle of suspension
Bottle of wash
Can of foam
Carton
Tube of cleanser
Bottle of cleanser| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 oz of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $32.03 | $32.03 |
| 6 oz of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $18.51 | $18.51 |
| 8 oz of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $21.63 | $21.63 |
| 8 oz of 10%/2% | 1 bottle | $85.95 | $85.95 |
| 10 oz of 9.8%/4.8% | 1 bottle | $24.01 | $24.01 |
| 16 oz of 9%/4.5% | 1 bottle | $42.88 | $42.88 |
| 16 oz of 9%/4% | 1 bottle | $143.97 | $143.97 |
| 16 oz of 8%/4% | 1 bottle | $42.81 | $42.81 |
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 | $46.47 | $46.47 |
| 28g of 10%/5% | 1 bottle | $35.69 | $35.69 |
Bottle of emulsion| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 177ml of 10%/1% | 1 bottle | $220.83 | $220.83 |
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 | $45.27 | $45.27 |
| 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 | $143.97 | $143.97 |
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 | $27.86 | $27.86 |
| 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 | $18.50 | $18.50 |
How much does Sulfacetamide / sulfur cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Sulfacetamide / sulfur (generic)
$18.50
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?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Sulfacetamide / sulfur. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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