Health Library

Mafenide (On the skin)

Mafenide (MAF-en-ide)

Prevents and treats skin infections in people with severe burns.

Brand Name(s):

Sulfamylon

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Cream, Packet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not swallow the medicine. This medicine should never be injected.
• If you need to apply this medicine yourself, your health caregiver will teach you how to use it. Make sure you understand all the instructions before using this medicine yourself.
• Before applying the cream, clean the burn wound and remove any dead skin. Taking a bath or shower every day will also help to keep your burn wound clean. Clean your burn wound at least once every day while you are using the cream.
• Wear a sterile glove on your hand while you apply the cream to your burn wound. Apply a thin layer of the cream over the entire burned area.
• Keep your burn wound completely covered with the cream at all times. Put on more cream if some rubs off on your clothing or comes off while you are bathing. Do not cover the treated area with a bandage unless your doctor has told you it is okay.
• You must mix the powder for solution with a special liquid before you can use it. Always use clean utensils and work on a clean surface when mixing the powder with the liquid. The powder comes in a packet. Mix all of the powder from the packet with the liquid. Keep mixing until all of the powder is dissolved. After it is mixed, this is a liquid medicine.
• Your burn wound or skin graft will be covered with gauze (a "dressing"). The gauze will be kept wet with the liquid medicine all the time. New liquid medicine might need to be put on the gauze every 4 to 8 hours. Your health caregiver can tell you about the details of your specific treatment.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the cream or packet of powder at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• After the powder has been mixed with the liquid, store the liquid medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. An unopened container of liquid medicine can be stored for up to 28 days. An opened container of liquid medicine must be used within 48 hours. After 48 hours, throw away any leftover liquid medicine.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• You should not use any other skin products on your burn wound unless your doctor has told you to.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have asthma, kidney disease, or lung disease. Make sure your doctor knows if you have an enzyme problem called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD). This is more common in African-American men.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fast, slow, or deep breathing, trouble breathing, or other change in breathing.
• Skin pain, blisters, swelling, rash, itching, bleeding, peeling, or oozing.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild pain or burning when applying the medicine.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024