Suggest An Alternative To Silvadene Ointment

Posted on Sat, 19 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 20 Apr 2014 Answered on

Tue, 6 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello. I am a registered nurse in California and used Silvadene ointment for wound care for many years with great results. A prescription had been required. Why has this product been discontinued in California or the US? Can I purchase it elsewhere without a prescription.

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (11 hours later)

Brief Answer: Not safe OTC Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking! SIlver sulfadiazine ointments are basically intended for burn wounds. silver sulfadiazine is mostly used for Pseudomonas infections an organism in UTi too but mostly found in burn wounds of 2nd and 3rd degree. Now why it has been put to prescription is because of its contra indications and adverse effects and warnings for its use in some conditions like Sulfa allergy,G6PD deficiency, Hypersensitivity, blood dyscrasias, dermatologic and allergic reactions (including life-threatening cutaneous reactions [Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), exfoliative dermatitis]), GI reactions, hepatitis and hepatocellular necrosis, CNS reactions, and toxic nephrosis,Hepatic/renal impairment etc. I hope you understand why a prescription is required. You are a nurse and you are from the field. You can try some simple over the counter wound ointments like polymyxin ointments and topical steroid gels for the inflammation. If you still feel like necessary for Silver Sulfadiazine ointment, i am afraid you won't get it in US without prescription and the only way to get it would be illegal which i won't suggest as it is a felony. Hope you see it in aright perspective. What ever FDA decides is for the safety of all. I hope it helps. Take good care and don't forget to close the discussion please. S Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar