sodium sulfacetamide-sulfur

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Mar 25, 2025

Warnings


Sulfacetamide Sodium - Sulfur (Plexion) Risks, Warnings, and Complications


Sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur can cause potentially serious adverse effects in certain people. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options for acne, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis if you are at risk of complications from this medicine. Some of the risks of using sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur include:

  • SERIOUS ALLERGIC REACTIONS: Sulfonamides can cause severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome in people with hypersensitivity. There are also case reports of drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after the use of topical sulfacetamide, which in one case was fatal. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have an allergy to sulfa medications. Keep this and all medicines safely out of reach of children.


Precautions Before Starting Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur (Plexion)

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to sulfacetamide sodium, sulfur, any of the active or inactive ingredients in sulfacetamide sodium - sulfur formulations, or other allergies. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medications, nonprescription medications, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions between sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur and your other medications.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy soon, or are nursing an infant with breast milk.

Precautions During Use of Sulfacetamide Sodium-Sulfur (Plexion)

If excessive drying occurs after using the product, try using it less often or rinse it off sooner.

Stop using sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur and call your doctor if your symptoms become worse or if you develop a rash in the treated area or elsewhere. Also, stop using the product and call your doctor without delay if you develop fever, arthritis (joint pain), sores in the mouth, or sore throat.

Sulfacetamide Sodium - Sulfur (Plexion) Drug Interactions

Certain medicines can affect how sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur works. Using sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur with certain other drugs can lead to an increased risk of side effects. Some of the medicines that can interact with sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur include:

  • Silver preparations like silver nitrate

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.