Sulfacetamide (eye)

Introduction

Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on September 28, 2023

Sulfacetamide (sul fa SEE ta mide) is a generic medication prescribed for certain skin conditions and specific types of eye infections. Sulfacetamide belongs to a group of drugs called sulfonamide antibiotics.

Doctors may prescribe sulfacetamide to treat:

• conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eye) or other eye infections caused by certain types of bacteria
• trachoma (infection of the eye caused by a type of bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis), along with other antibiotics
• acne
• seborrheic dermatitis* (a condition that causes patches of oily, flaky skin)
• dandruff*
• certain skin infections caused by specific bacteria*

These uses differ based on the form of sulfacetamide your doctor prescribes.

* Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved certain forms and uses of sulfacetamide. This is because certain forms of sulfacetamide (the shampoo and the liquid cleanser) have been available since before the FDA began its drug approval process. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of sulfacetamide. To find coupons for sulfacetamide liquid cleanser, see this article. For coupons for sulfacetamide topical lotion, see this article.

Uses of sulfacetamide

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as sulfacetamide for certain conditions. Common uses for sulfacetamide are described below. These uses differ based on the form of sulfacetamide prescribed.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved certain forms and uses of sulfacetamide. This is because certain forms of sulfacetamide have been available since before the FDA began its drug approval process. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Use for certain skin conditions

Doctors may prescribe sulfacetamide lotion for treating acne. It’s approved for this purpose in children ages 12 years and older and adults. It may be prescribed as a short-term or long-term treatment.

Doctors may prescribe sulfacetamide shampoo* or cleanser* for treating dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. It’s also used to treat secondary skin infections caused by certain types of bacteria. It’s used for these purposes in adults and some children. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With acne, pimples or blemishes break out on the skin of your face or body.

With seborrheic dermatitis, you develop patches of oily, flaky skin. With dandruff, these patches occur on the scalp. The affected areas of your skin or scalp may be itchy or inflamed.

A secondary bacterial infection is an infection that occurs during or after treatment for a different infection.

* Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved certain forms and uses of sulfacetamide. This is because sulfacetamide shampoo and sulfacetamide liquid cleanser have been available since before the FDA began its drug approval process. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Use for eye infections

Doctors may prescribe sulfacetamide eye drops or sulfacetamide eye ointment for treating specific types of eye infections. It’s used for this purpose in children ages 2 months or older and adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Specifically, the drug is approved to treat:

• conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eye) caused by certain types of bacteria
• trachoma (chlamydial eye infection)
• other infections affecting the outer layer of the eye

Sulfacetamide eye drops are prescribed together with other antibiotics, given by mouth or by intravenous (IV) injection (an injection given into your vein), for trachoma.

Side effects of sulfacetamide

Sulfacetamide may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of sulfacetamide and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about sulfacetamide’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for sulfacetamide listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of sulfacetamide are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of sulfacetamide you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about sulfacetamide’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for sulfacetamide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Sulfacetamide eye drops’ mild side effects include:

• eye irritation
• eye stinging or burning
• redness of the eye
• mild allergic reaction*

Sulfacetamide topical lotion’s mild side effects include:

• skin irritation where you apply the drug, such as itching, redness, or discoloration
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for sulfacetamide” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of sulfacetamide are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of sulfacetamide you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about sulfacetamide’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for sulfacetamide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, sulfacetamide’s serious side effects include:

• severe allergic reaction*

For sulfacetamide eye drops or sulfacetamide eye ointment, the following serious side effects may also occur:

• corneal ulcer (an open sore on the cornea, which is the outer layer of the eye)
• nonspecific conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye or eyelids)
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for sulfacetamide” section.

Interactions and warnings for sulfacetamide

Below, you’ll find information about sulfacetamide’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of sulfacetamide

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you use sulfacetamide, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for sulfacetamide” section below.

Warnings for sulfacetamide

Some people should not use sulfacetamide, and others should use it cautiously.

Sulfacetamide could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether sulfacetamide is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of sulfacetamide you use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for sulfacetamide, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Sulfacetamide can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to sulfacetamide or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe sulfacetamide. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• severe skin rashes that may blister and peel
• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to sulfacetamide, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of sulfacetamide

If you apply sulfacetamide, you should not use more sulfacetamide than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much sulfacetamide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and sulfacetamide

Information about sulfacetamide and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Sulfacetamide and pregnancy

It’s not known whether sulfacetamide should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Sulfacetamide and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether sulfacetamide should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Common questions about sulfacetamide

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about sulfacetamide.

What brand names are available for sulfacetamide?

Sulfacetamide is a generic drug. A generic medication contains an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.

Currently, certain forms of sulfacetamide are available as brand-name drugs, including:

• Bleph-10 eye drops
• Klaron topical lotion
• Ovace Plus topical lotion
• Ovace Plus shampoo
• Ovace Plus cleanser

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about generic or brand-name drugs.

Is sulfacetamide safe for older adults?

Yes, sulfacetamide can be used in older adults (ages 65 years and older). Its safety is expected to be the same in older adults as in younger adults.

Regardless of age, some people may need a caregiver’s help to apply certain forms of sulfacetamide. For instance, if an individual has trouble keeping their hand steady, they may need help to apply sulfacetamide eye drops or sulfacetamide eye ointment. This is because it’s important not to touch the eye with the tip of the dropper or tube. Doing so could lead to injury or further infection.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about using or applying sulfacetamide.

How does sulfacetamide work? And how long does it take to start working?

Sulfacetamide is an antibiotic. It works by preventing bacteria from making folic acid. Bacteria need folic acid to grow. By preventing bacteria from making folic acid, sulfacetamide stops the bacteria from growing.

Sulfacetamide begins working soon after the first application. But it may take a few days to weeks before your symptoms start to go away. How long it takes to clear can depend on the type of condition you have and when you start treatment. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how soon you might expect to see an improvement while using sulfacetamide.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about sulfacetamide or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Am I at a higher risk for side effects of sulfacetamide than others?
• I’m allergic to sulfa antibiotics. Is it safe for me to use this product?
• My symptoms have gone away, but I still have some sulfacetamide left. Should I stop or keep using it until I finish it?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Sodium sulfacetamide wash 10% (liquid cleanser). (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/41c078df-fad4-4881-aad4-2719406dad1d/spl-doc
• Sodium sulfacetamide 10% shampoo. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/ac7863c6-387c-4c90-bfaa-5f1544e1e887/spl-doc
• Sulfacetamide sodium topical suspension USP, 10% (lotion). (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4fb4d39a-330e-4c84-abbc-3b33b36b206f/spl-doc
• Sulfacetamide sodium ophthalmic ointment USP, 10%. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/558280c6-893e-4645-9018-40c69be936d3/spl-doc
• Sulfacetamide sodium ophthalmic solution, USP 10% (eye drops). (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d3709517-7eec-44cf-be71-2ce1ac9f0871/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.