Sodium Sulfacetamide and Sulfur

INDICATIONS: Sodium Sulfacetamide 10% Sulfur 5% Emollient Cream is indicated in the topical control of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Wash affected areas once or twice daily, or as directed by your physician. Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes. Wet skin and liberally apply to areas to be treated, massage gently into skin for 10-20 seconds working into a full lather, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. If drying occurs, it may be controlled by rinsing wash off sooner or using less often.

WARNINGS: Sensitivity to sodium sulfacetamide may occur, although it is rare. Therefore, caution and careful supervision should be observed when prescribing this drug for patients who may be prone to hypersensitivity to topical sulfonamides. Systemic toxic reactions such as agranulocytosis, acute hemolytic anemia, purpura hemorrhagica, drug fever, jaundice, and contact dermatitis indicate hypersensitivity to sulfonamides. Particular caution should be employed if areas of denuded or abraded skin are involved. FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep away from eyes. Keep out of reach of children. Keep tube tightly closed.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Sodium Sulfacetamide 10% Sulfur 5% Emollient Cream is contraindicated for use by patients having known hypersensitivity to sulfonamides, sulfur or any other component of this preparation.Sodium Sulfacetamide 10% Sulfur 5% Emollient Cream is not to be used by patients with kidney disease.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: Although rare, Sulfacetamide Sodium may cause local irritation.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: The most widely accepted mechanism of action of sulfonamides is the Woods-Fildes theory, which is based on the fact that sulfonamides act as competitive antagonists to para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), an essential component for bacterial growth. While absorption through intact skin has not been determined, sulfacetamide sodium is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract when taken orally and excreted in the urine, largely unchanged. The biological half-life has variously been reported as 7 to 12.8 hours. The exact mode of action of sulfur in the treatment of acne is not known, but it has been reported that it inhibits the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and the formation of free fatty acids.