Pharmacology and clinical use of silver sulfadiazine and related topical antimicrobial agents.

Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene(R), US; Flamazine UK; Flamazine, Netherlands; Sulplata South America) is proving to be a highly successful topical antimicrobial agent for control of burn wound infections. The advantages of wide spectrum of activity, painless application, negligible toxicity and ease of application contribute to the usefulness of this compound. These advantages have led to its use for wound infections other than burns, for skin ulceration and for certain dermatologic lesions; also for the prevention and treatment of various vaginal infections. Described also are zinc sulfadiazine which can provide zinc for wound healing and cerous sulfadiazine which contains the rare earth metal cerium. Their unique effects on cell biology may determine their specific roles in topical therapy.