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Silvadene description. Silver sulfadiazine ( SILL-ver sul-fa-DYE-a-zeen) , a sulfa medicine, is used to prevent and treat bacterial or fungus infections. It works by killing the fungus or bacteria. Silver sulfadiazine cream is applied to the skin and/or burned area(s) to prevent and treat bacterial or fungus infections that may occur in burns. Silvadene may also be used for other problems as determined by your doctor. Other medicines are used along with Silvadene for burns. Patients with severe burns or burns over a large area of the body must be treated in a hospital. Silver sulfadiazine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form: Topical Cream (U.S. and Canada)
Why prescribed Silvadene. Silver sulfadiazine, a sulfa drug, is used to prevent and treat infections of second- and third-degree burns. It kills a wide variety of bacteria. Silvadene is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. How used Silvadene. Silver sulfadiazine comes in a cream. Silver sulfadiazine usually is applied once or twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use silver sulfadiazine exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not apply this drug to infants less than 2 months of age. Do not stop using silver sulfadiazine until your doctor tells you to do so. Your burn must be healed so that infection is no longer a problem. Gently wash the burned skin area daily to help remove dead skin. If your burn becomes infected or if your infection worsens, call your doctor. Before applying the medication, clean the burned area and remove any dead or burned skin. Always wear a sterile, disposable glove when you apply silver sulfadiazine. Cover the cleaned burned area with a 1/16-inch thickness of cream. Keep the burned area covered with cream at all times; reapply the cream to any area that becomes uncovered. Brand names: - Flamazine - SSD - SSD AF - Silvadene - Silver Sulfadiazine - Thermazene |