Silvin
SILVIN
Generic composition: Silver Sulfadiazine
General Introduction
Silver sulfadiazine; a sulfonamide used topically to reduce microbial colonization and incidence of infections of wounds from severe burns. Silver sulfadiazine has broad antimicrobial activity. It is bactericidal for many gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as being effective against yeast.
Therapeutic category
- Anti-bacterial (Topical)
Dosage forms available
- SILVIN 1% cream in 25g and 200g
Mechanism of action
Silver is a biocide, which binds to a broad range of targets. Silver ions bind to nucleophilic amino acids, as well as sulfhydryl, amino, imidazole, phosphate, and carboxyl groups in proteins, causing protein denaturation and enzyme inhibition. Silver binds to surface membranes and proteins, causing proton leaks in the membrane, leading to cell death.
Sulfadiazine is a competitive inhibitor of bacterial para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a substrate of the enzyme dihydropteroate synthetase. The inhibited reaction is necessary in these organisms for the synthesis of folic acid.
Pharmacokinetics
While little silver is absorbed, the plasma concentration of sulfadiazine may approach therapeutic levels if a large surface area is involved. Up to about 10% of the sulfadiazine may be absorbed
Uses
Silver sulfadiazine cream, USP 1% is a topical antimicrobial drug indicated as an adjunct for the prevention and treatment of wound sepsis in patients with second and third degree burns.
Dosage and administration
- The cream should be applied once to twice daily to a thickness of approximately one sixteenth of an inch; burn areas should be covered by cream all the time. Whenever necessary, the cream should be reapplied to any areas from which it has been removed by patient activity,
Adverse effects
- The infrequent adverse reactions include burning, rash and itching.
Contraindication
- Contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to silver sulfadiazine or any of the other ingredients in the preparation.
- Silver sulfadiazine cream should not be used on pregnant women approaching or at term, on premature infants, or on newborn infants during the first 2 months of life.
Precautions
- Hepatic and renal insufficiency
- Pregnancy Category B
