| Chemical Properties | solid |
| Uses | Indicated as an adjunct for the prevention and treatment of wound sepsis in patients with second- and third-degree burns. |
| Uses | Coordination compound. Antibacterial |
| Uses | Silver(I) sulfadiazine (AgSD) is popularly used for treating second-degree burn wounds as it acts as an antimicrobial agent and prevents infections. Silver sulfadiazine-impregnated polyurethane (PU) foam, chitosan/chondroitin sulfate films may be used for wound dressing. |
| Definition | ChEBI: Silver(1+) sulfadiazinate is a silver salt, a sulfonamidate and a member of pyrimidines. It has a role as an antimicrobial agent and an antibacterial drug. It contains a sulfadiazinate. |
| Indications | Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene, SSD) is a synthetic agent that combines the beneficial
properties of silver nitrate and sulfonamides. It acts upon the cell membrane and cell
wall. It is used primarily as an adjunct in the prevention and treatment of wound
sepsis in patients with second- and third-degree burns and for wound care of chronic
ulcers. It is bactericidal against many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as
well as C. albicans and is reasonably effective against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.
Bacteria susceptible to sulfadiazine but resistant to silver nitrate, as well as those
sensitive to silver nitrate but resistant to sulfadiazine, have shown good response
to silver sulfadiazine. It does not stain, is unlikely to produce electrolyte imbalance,
and does not cause systemic acidosis. Some patients note a stinging sensation on
application, and because this compound can be absorbed, systemic sulfonamide
reactions similar to those caused by sulfonamides may occur. |
| Pharmaceutical Applications | Silver sulfadiazine is indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of infections in burn wounds. Silver sulfadiazine
is highly insoluble in water, and as a result, it does not cause hypochloraemia in burns in contrast to
silver nitrate.
The active ingredient silver sulfadiazine is a sulfur-derived topical antibacterial used primarily on secondand
third-degree burns. It is known to be active against many Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as
well as against yeast. The cream is kept applied to the burned skin at all times for the duration of the healing
period or until a graft is applied. It prevents the growth of a wide array of bacteria, as well as yeast, on the
damaged skin. Caution has to be given to large-area application as sulfadiazine levels in the plasma may well
reach therapeutic levels that can cause side effects. |
| Pharmaceutical Applications | Silver sulfadiazine is extremely insoluble. In addition to the
usual activity of sulfonamides it exhibits activity – almost certainly
attributable to the silver component – against Ps. aeruginosa
and some fungi.
It is variably absorbed after topical application depending
on the integrity of the skin. Toxic concentrations may
be achieved in patients with extensive burns. It is used topically,
mainly for burns, pressure sores and leg ulcers. Central
venous catheters impregnated with chlorhexidine and silver
sulfadiazine have been developed to reduce bacterial colonization.
Other suggested uses include the prevention of
infection in skin graft donor sites and cord care in newborn
infants. |
| Clinical Use | The silver salt of sulfadiazine applied in a water-misciblecream base has proved to be an effective topical antimicrobialagent, especially against Pseudomonas spp. This is particularlysignificant in burn therapy because pseudomonadsare often responsible for failures in therapy. The salt is onlyslightly soluble and does not penetrate the cell wall butacts on the external cell structure. Studies using radioactivesilver have shown essentially no absorption into body fluids.Sulfadiazine levels in the serum were about 0.5 to2 mg/100 mL.
This preparation is reported to be easier to use thanother standard burn treatments, such as application offreshly prepared dilute silver nitrate solutions or mafenideointment. |
| Veterinary Drugs and Treatments | Silver sulfadiazine cream is a broad spectrum agent which covers
bacteria (gram positive and negative) and fungal agents. It has been
used extensively in people suffering from skin burns. It is nontoxic
to the skin, conjunctiva and cornea and has been used in the last
several years for cases of fungal keratitis. Particularly good results
have been noted in cases of superficial keratitis prior to development
of advanced disease. Clinical response is better when used
early in the course of the disease. Treatment with silver sulfadiazine
is considered non-conventional in people. It is gaining in popularity
in the treatment of equine fungal keratitis by veterinary ophthalmologists.
For medico-legal reasons, in very expensive horses in
which litigation may be an issue, treatment with more conventional
therapy (natamycin) may be indicated first, or consideration can be
given to signed consent regarding treatment with silver sulfadiazine.
The initial response to this drug has been promising, however. |
| Veterinary Drugs and Treatments | Topical silver sulfadiazine (SSD) is used topically for prophylaxis and treatment of 2nd and 3rd degree burns. It is also useful in treating localized
pyodermas caused by Pseudomonas spp.
SSD has extensive antimicrobial activity and is bactericidal for yeasts and many gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. SSD acts via
disrupting microbial cell membranes and cell walls; this differs from the antibacterial actions of silver nitrate or sodium sulfadiazine. |
