SULFACETAMIDE: 511 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile
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Active Ingredient: SULFACETAMIDE SODIUM · Drug Class: Sulfonamide Antibacterial [EPC] · Route: TOPICAL · Manufacturer: Bryant Ranch Prepack · FDA Application: 005963 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available
First Report: 1960 · Latest Report: 20250101
What Are the Most Common SULFACETAMIDE Side Effects?
All SULFACETAMIDE Side Effects by Frequency
| Side Effect | Reports | % of Total | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug hypersensitivity | 300 | 58.7% | 0 | 3 |
| Hypersensitivity | 87 | 17.0% | 0 | 0 |
| Drug ineffective | 86 | 16.8% | 3 | 3 |
| Drug intolerance | 55 | 10.8% | 0 | 1 |
| Neutropenia | 55 | 10.8% | 0 | 2 |
| Bone erosion | 53 | 10.4% | 0 | 0 |
| Bronchiectasis | 53 | 10.4% | 0 | 0 |
| Hypothyroidism | 53 | 10.4% | 0 | 0 |
| Loss of personal independence in daily activities | 51 | 10.0% | 0 | 0 |
| Synovitis | 51 | 10.0% | 0 | 0 |
| Pain | 33 | 6.5% | 0 | 0 |
| Arthralgia | 29 | 5.7% | 0 | 0 |
| C-reactive protein increased | 28 | 5.5% | 0 | 0 |
| Musculoskeletal stiffness | 28 | 5.5% | 0 | 0 |
| Nausea | 27 | 5.3% | 0 | 0 |
| Joint stiffness | 26 | 5.1% | 0 | 0 |
| Red blood cell sedimentation rate abnormal | 26 | 5.1% | 0 | 0 |
| Rheumatoid factor positive | 26 | 5.1% | 0 | 0 |
| Rash | 25 | 4.9% | 0 | 0 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | 21 | 4.1% | 0 | 0 |
Who Reports SULFACETAMIDE Side Effects? Age & Gender Data
Gender: 86.5% female, 13.5% male. Average age: 59.9 years. Most reports from: US. View detailed demographics →
Is SULFACETAMIDE Getting Safer? Reports by Year
| Year | Reports | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What Is SULFACETAMIDE Used For?
| Indication | Reports |
|---|---|
| Product used for unknown indication | 280 |
| Rosacea | 14 |
| Acne | 8 |
| Conjunctivitis | 8 |
| Eye infection | 6 |
| Psoriasis | 5 |
SULFACETAMIDE vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?
Other Drugs in Same Class: Sulfonamide Antibacterial [EPC]
Official FDA Label for SULFACETAMIDE
Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.
Drug Description
Rx Only FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR OPHTHALMIC USE. DESCRIPTION: Each gram contains 100 mg of sodium sulfacetamide in a vehicle consisting of: benzyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol (and) PEG-3 distearoylamidoethylmonium methosulfate (and) polysorbate 60, cetyl alcohol, fragrance, glyceryl stearate (and) PEG-100 stearate, lithium magnesium sodium silicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium thiosulfate, stearyl alcohol and xanthan gum. Sodium sulfacetamide is a sulfonamide with antibacterial activity. Sodium sulfacetamide is C 8 H 9 N 2 NaO 3 S·H 2 O with molecular weight of 254.24. Chemically, sodium sulfacetamide is N-[(4-aminophenyl) sulfonyl]-acetamide, monosodium salt, monohydrate. The structural formula is: Sodium sulfacetamide is an odorless, white, crystalline powder with a bitter taste. It is freely soluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol, while practically insoluble in benzene, in chloroform and in ether. structure
FDA Approved Uses (Indications)
INDICATIONS AND USAGE: Sulfacetamide Sodium Ophthalmic Solution USP, 10% is indicated for the treatment of conjunctivitis and other superficial ocular infections due to susceptible microorganisms, and as an adjunctive in systemic sulfonamide therapy of trachoma: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus (viridans group), Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella species, and Enterobacter species. Topically applied sulfonamides do not provide adequate coverage against Neisseria species, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . A significant percentage of staphylococcal isolates are completely resistant to sulfa drugs.
Dosage & Administration
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Seborrheic dermatitis including seborrhea sicca - Wash affected areas twice daily (morning and evening) or as directed by your physician. Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes. Wet skin and liberally apply to areas to be cleansed, massage gently into skin working into a full lather, rinse thoroughly, pat dry and repeat after 10 to 20 seconds. Rinsing with plain water will remove any excess medication. Repeat application as described above for 8 to 10 days or as directed by your physician. lf skin dryness occurs it may be controlled by rinsing cleanser off sooner or using less frequently. Regular shampooing following the use of this product is not necessary, but the hair should be shampooed at least once a week. As the condition subsides, the interval between applications may be lengthened. Applications once or twice weekly or every other week may prevent recurrence. Should the condition recur after stopping therapy, the application of this product should be reinitiated as at the beginning of treatment. Secondary cutaneous bacterial infections - Wash affected areas twice daily (morning and evening) or as directed by your physician. Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes. Wet skin and liberally apply to areas to be cleansed, massage gently into skin for 10 to 20 seconds working into a full lather, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Rinsing with plain water will remove any excess medication. Repeat application as described above for 8 to 10 days or as directed by your physician. If skin dryness occurs it may be controlled by rinsing cleanser off sooner or using less frequently. STORAGE: Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (between 59°F and 86°F). Brief exposure to temperatures up to 40°C (104°F) may be tolerated provided the mean kinetic temperature does not exceed 25°C (77°F); however, such exposure should be minimized. NOTICE: Protect from freezing and excessive heat. The product may tend to darken slightly on storage. Slight discoloration does not impair the efficacy or safety of the product. Keep bottle tightly closed. Occasionally, a slight discoloration of fabric may occur when an excessive amount of the product is used and comes in contact with white fabrics. This discoloration, however, presents no problem, as it is readily removed by ordinary laundering without bleaches.
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS: This product is contraindicated in persons with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the product. This product is not to be used by patients with kidney disease.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: This product is contraindicated in persons with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the product. This product is not to be used by patients with kidney disease.
Known Adverse Reactions
ADVERSE REACTIONS Bacterial and fungal corneal ulcers have developed during treatment with sulfonamide ophthalmic preparations. The most frequently reported reactions are local irritation, stinging and burning. Less commonly reported reactions include non-specific conjunctivitis, conjunctival hyperemia, secondary infections and allergic reactions. Fatalities have occurred, although rarely, due to severe reactions to sulfonamides including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias (see WARNINGS ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch + Lomb, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC, at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
Warnings
WARNINGS: Sulfonamides are known to cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome in hypersensitive individuals. Stevens-Johnson syndrome also has been reported following the use of sodium sulfacetamide topically. Cases of drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus from topical sulfacetamide also have been reported. In one of these cases, there was a fatal outcome. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR OPHTHALMIC USE. General: Nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi, may proliferate with the use of this preparation. Although rare, sensitivity to sodium sulfacetamide may occur. Therefore, caution and careful supervision should be observed when prescribing this drug for patients who may be prone to hypersensitivity to topical sulfonamides. If the use of this product produces signs of hypersensitivity or other untoward reactions, discontinue use of the preparation. Patients should be carefully observed for possible local irritation or sensitization during long-term therapy. 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. Systemic absorption of topical sulfonamides is greater following application to large, infected, abraded, denuded, or severely burned areas. Under these circumstances, any of the adverse effects produced by the systemic administration of these agents could potentially occur, and appropriate observations and laboratory determinations should be performed. The object of this therapy is to achieve desquamation without irritation, but sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur can cause reddening and scaling of the epidermis. These side effects are not unusual in the treatment of acne vulgaris, but patients should be cautioned about the possibility. Information for Patients: Patients should discontinue the use of this product if the condition becomes worse or if a rash develops in the area being treated or elsewhere. The use of this product also should be discontinued promptly, and the physician notified if any arthritis, fever, or sores in the mouth develop. Avoid contact with eyes, lips and mucous membranes.
Drug
Interactions: This product is incompatible with silver preparations. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, and Impairment of Fertility: Long-term animal studies for carcinogenic potential have not been performed on this product to date. Studies on reproduction and fertility also have not been performed. Chromosomal nondisjunction has been reported in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, following application of sodium sulfacetamide. The significance of this finding to the topical use of sodium sulfacetamide in the human is unknown. Pregnancy: Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with this product. It is also not known whether this product can affect reproduction capacity or cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. This product should be used by a pregnant woman only if clearly needed or when potential benefits outweigh potential hazards to the fetus.
Nursing
Mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when this product is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric
Use: Safety and effectiveness in children under the age of 12 years have not been established.
General: Nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi, may proliferate with the use of this preparation. Although rare, sensitivity to sodium sulfacetamide may occur. Therefore, caution and careful supervision should be observed when prescribing this drug for patients who may be prone to hypersensitivity to topical sulfonamides. If the use of this product produces signs of hypersensitivity or other untoward reactions, discontinue use of the preparation. Patients should be carefully observed for possible local irritation or sensitization during long-term therapy. 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. Systemic absorption of topical sulfonamides is greater following application to large, infected, abraded, denuded, or severely burned areas. Under these circumstances, any of the adverse effects produced by the systemic administration of these agents could potentially occur, and appropriate observations and laboratory determinations should be performed. The object of this therapy is to achieve desquamation without irritation, but sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur can cause reddening and scaling of the epidermis. These side effects are not unusual in the treatment of acne vulgaris, but patients should be cautioned about the possibility.
Precautions
PRECAUTIONS: FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR OPHTHALMIC USE. General: Nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi, may proliferate with the use of this preparation. Although rare, sensitivity to sodium sulfacetamide may occur. Therefore, caution and careful supervision should be observed when prescribing this drug for patients who may be prone to hypersensitivity to topical sulfonamides. If the use of this product produces signs of hypersensitivity or other untoward reactions, discontinue use of the preparation. Patients should be carefully observed for possible local irritation or sensitization during long-term therapy. 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. Systemic absorption of topical sulfonamides is greater following application to large, infected, abraded, denuded or severely burned areas. Under these circumstances, any of the adverse effects produced by the systemic administration of these agents could potentially occur, and appropriate observations and laboratory determinations should be performed. The object of this therapy is to achieve desquamation without irritation, but sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur can cause reddening and scaling of the epidermis. These side effects are not unusual in the treatment of acne vulgaris, but patients should be cautioned about the possibility. Information for Patients: Patients should discontinue the use of this product if the condition becomes worse or if a rash develops in the area being treated or elsewhere. The use of this product also should be discontinued promptly and the physician notified if any arthritis, fever or sores in the mouth develop. Avoid contact with eyes, lips and mucous membranes.
Drug
Interactions: This product is incompatible with silver preparations. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis and Impairment of Fertility: Long-term animal studies for carcinogenic potential have not been performed on this product to date. Studies on reproduction and fertility also have not been performed. Chromosomal nondisjunction has been reported in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, following application of sodium sulfacetamide. The significance of this finding to the topical use of sodium sulfacetamide in the human is unknown. Pregnancy: Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with this product. It is also not known whether this product can affect reproduction capacity or cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. This product should be used by a pregnant woman only if clearly needed or when potential benefits outweigh potential hazards to the fetus.
Nursing
Mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when this product is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric
Use: Safety and effectiveness in children under the age of 12 years have not been established.
General: Nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi, may proliferate with the use of this preparation. Although rare, sensitivity to sodium sulfacetamide may occur. Therefore, caution and careful supervision should be observed when prescribing this drug for patients who may be prone to hypersensitivity to topical sulfonamides. If the use of this product produces signs of hypersensitivity or other untoward reactions, discontinue use of the preparation. Patients should be carefully observed for possible local irritation or sensitization during long-term therapy. 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. Systemic absorption of topical sulfonamides is greater following application to large, infected, abraded, denuded or severely burned areas. Under these circumstances, any of the adverse effects produced by the systemic administration of these agents could potentially occur, and appropriate observations and laboratory determinations should be performed. The object of this therapy is to achieve desquamation without irritation, but sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur can cause reddening and scaling of the epidermis. These side effects are not unusual in the treatment of acne vulgaris, but patients should be cautioned about the possibility.
Information for Patients: Patients should discontinue the use of this product if the condition becomes worse or if a rash develops in the area being treated or elsewhere. The use of this product also should be discontinued promptly and the physician notified if any arthritis, fever or sores in the mouth develop. Avoid contact with eyes, lips and mucous membranes.
Drug
Interactions: This product is incompatible with silver preparations.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis and Impairment of Fertility: Long-term animal studies for carcinogenic potential have not been performed on this product to date. Studies on reproduction and fertility also have not been performed. Chromosomal nondisjunction has been reported in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, following application of sodium sulfacetamide. The significance of this finding to the topical use of sodium sulfacetamide in the human is unknown.
Pregnancy: Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with this product. It is also not known whether this product can affect reproduction capacity or cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. This product should be used by a pregnant woman only if clearly needed or when potential benefits outweigh potential hazards to the fetus.
Nursing
Mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when this product is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric
Use: Safety and effectiveness in children under the age of 12 years have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions: SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 10% CLEANSING GEL is incompatible with silver preparations.
Inactive Ingredients
Each gram contains 100 mg of sodium sulfacetamide USP in a vehicle consisting of: citric acid, cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium EDTA, glyceryl stearate, methylparaben, PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, PEG-60 almond glycerides, PEG-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, polysorbate 60, purified water, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium thiosulfate and xanthan gum.