🧴 Silver Sulphadiazine Cream 1%
🔹 1. Prescription / Indication:
Silver Sulphadiazine 1% Cream is a topical antimicrobial agent used primarily for the prevention and treatment of infections in burn wounds and skin ulcers, including:
- Second- and third-degree burns
- Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
- Leg ulcers
- Traumatic skin injuries (cuts, abrasions)
- Surgical wounds at risk of infection
🔹 2. Description:
- Form: Topical cream
- Strength: 1% w/w (i.e., 10 mg silver sulphadiazine per 1 gram of cream)
- Appearance: Smooth, white cream
- Route: External use only
- Application: Usually applied once or twice daily, often with dressing
🔹 3. Advantages:
- Broad-spectrum antimicrobial action:
- Effective against gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria
- Also active against some fungi and yeasts
- Promotes faster wound healing
- Prevents secondary infections in open wounds
- Soothing effect on burned skin
- Suitable for large surface areas
🔹 4. Nature / Pharmacological Class:
- Class: Topical sulfonamide + silver compound
- Mechanism of Action:
- Silver ions disrupt bacterial cell membranes and DNA replication
- Sulphadiazine inhibits bacterial folic acid synthesis
- Together, they provide bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects
🔹 5. Common Packaging:
- Available in aluminum tubes or plastic jars
- Sizes: 10 g, 15 g, 30 g, 50 g, 100 g, 250 g
- Often packed in carton box with instructions
🔹 6. Storage:
- Store at below 25°C (77°F)
- Protect from heat, moisture, and sunlight
- Do not refrigerate or freeze
- Keep tightly capped
- Keep out of reach of children
🔹 7. Patient Advice / Counseling:
- Clean and debride the wound before applying
- Apply thin layer (1–2 mm) to the affected area; may use dressing
- Reapply if cream gets rubbed off or washed away
- Do not apply near eyes or mouth
- May cause temporary burning or itching
- Discontinue if rash, allergic reaction, or leukopenia develops
- Not recommended in:
- Pregnant women (near term)
- Neonates (<2 months) due to risk of kernicterus
- Monitor long-term use in large wounds for systemic absorption
🔹 8. Purpose / Clinical Use:
- To prevent and treat infections in burns and chronic wounds
- Reduces risk of sepsis in severe burn injuries
- Commonly used in hospitals, burn units, and emergency care