silver sulfadiazine

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum 

Silver ions, which have broad-spectrum antibacterial capabilities, are released by silver sulfadiazine to produce their effects. Bactericidal means that silver sulfadiazine kills bacteria rather than just preventing their growth. It prevents the production of bacterial proteins, DNA, and RNA, which causes vulnerable bacteria to perish.  

As silver sulfadiazine has anti-inflammatory qualities. It promotes wound healing by lowering inflammation at the burn damage site. A wide range of bacteria are susceptible to the broad spectrum of activity of silver sulfadiazine. It works well against some fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and both. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined  

Hepatitis and hepatocellular necrosis 

Hemolytic anemia  

Thrombocytopenia 

Dermatologic and hypersensitivity reactions 

Pain 

Erythema multiforme 

Toxic nephrosis 

Agranulocytosis 

Interstitial nephritis 

Adverse nervous system effects 

Adverse gastrointestinal effects 

Aplastic anemia 

Leukopenia 

Rash 

Burning 

Transient skin discoloration 

Itching 

Necrosis of the skin 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning 

silver sulfadiazine does not have a black box warning.  

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindication: 

• People who have a known hypersensitivity to or allergy to silver sulfadiazine or any other sulphonamide drug should not take silver sulfadiazine. 
• Due to the danger of kernicterus, a rare illness marked by high levels of bilirubin in the blood, silver sulfadiazine is contraindicated in preterm new-borns younger than 2 months of age. 

Caution: 

• When administered to people with poor renal function, silver sulfadiazine should be used with caution. Since the kidneys are primarily responsible for the medication’s excretion, careful monitoring of renal function is required. 
• In people who are deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, silver sulfadiazine may result in haemolysis. In these situations, caution is advised. 
• silver sulfadiazine use during pregnancy and breast-feeding has not been thoroughly studied for safety. 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings:     

Pregnancy category: C and X (near term) 

Lactation: Excretion into human milk is unknown  

Pregnancy Categories:         

Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. 

Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.    

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women. 

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits. 

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.  

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology  

When wound exudate is present, the chemical emits silver ions. By interfering with the DNA replication and protein synthesis of the microorganisms, these silver ions exhibit broad-spectrum antibiotic effects.  

silver sulfadiazine, which interacts positively with silver ions. It prevents folic acid synthesis, which is necessary for bacterial growth and reproduction. 

Pharmacodynamics 

silver sulfonamide antibiotic that prevents germs from synthesizing folic acid. For bacteria to thrive and reproduce, folic acid is crucial. silver sulfadiazine impairs bacterial metabolism and prevents bacterial growth by interfering with folic acid production. 

Pharmacokinetics 

Absorption   

silver sulfadiazine is applied topically as an external cream or ointment. The drug is barely absorbed through intact skin when applied to the burn wound.  

Distribution 

The body’s tissues and bodily fluids, including silver sulfadiazine, are all present. Due to their binding to plasma proteins, silver ions concentration in the blood remains low. 

Metabolism 

The liver is where silver sulfadiazine is metabolized predominantly. It is transformed into its acetylated form via the primary metabolic process of acetylation. The inactive acetylated metabolites. 

Elimination and excretion 

silver sulfadiazine is mostly excreted through the urine. The renal pathway is used for the elimination of both the unchanged sulfadiazine and its acetylated metabolites. Additionally, a small amount of the drug is passed through the feces. 

Adminstartion

Administration 

silver sulfadiazine is typically administered as a cream or ointment for external use.  

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: silver sulfadiazine 

Why do we use silver sulfadiazine? 

In the treatment of burn injuries, silver sulfadiazine is frequently used as a topical antibacterial agent. In both partial-thickness and full-thickness burns, it aids in the prevention and management of infections.   

By using silver sulfadiazine, burn wounds can be protected from infection. It aids in preventing the development and spread of bacteria, lowering the danger of wound infection, and accelerating the healing process. 

silver sulfadiazine can reduce pain when applied to burn wounds. It lessens pain brought on by burns by protecting exposed nerve endings in the injured skin and reducing inflammation.