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Sodium Sulfacetamide: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Sodium Sulfacetamide - General Information

An anti-infective agent that is used topically to treat skin infections and orally for urinary tract infections. [PubChem]

 

Pharmacology of Sodium Sulfacetamide

Sodium Sulfacetamide is a sulfonamide antibiotic. The sulfonamides are synthetic bacteriostatic antibiotics with a wide spectrum against most gram-positive and many gram-negative organisms. However, many strains of an individual species may be resistant. Sulfonamides inhibit multiplication of bacteria by acting as competitive inhibitors of p-aminobenzoic acid in the folic acid metabolism cycle. Bacterial sensitivity is the same for the various sulfonamides, and resistance to one sulfonamide indicates resistance to all. Most sulfonamides are readily absorbed orally. However, parenteral administration is difficult, since the soluble sulfonamide salts are highly alkaline and irritating to the tissues. The sulfonamides are widely distributed throughout all tissues. High levels are achieved in pleural, peritoneal, synovial, and ocular fluids. Although these drugs are no longer used to treat meningitis, CSF levels are high in meningeal infections. Their antibacterial action is inhibited by pus.

 

Sodium Sulfacetamide for patients

To avoid contamination, do not touch lip of container to eye, eyelid or any surface.

 

Sodium Sulfacetamide Interactions

Sulfacetamide preparations are incompatible with silver preparations.

 

Sodium Sulfacetamide Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to sulfonamides or to any ingredient of this preparation.

 

Additional information about Sodium Sulfacetamide

Sodium Sulfacetamide Indication

For the treatment of bacterial vaginitis, keratitis, acute conjunctivitis, and blepharitis.

Mechanism Of Action
Sodium Sulfacetamide is a competitive inhibitor of bacterial para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), an essential component for bacterial growth (according to the Woods-Fildes theory). The inhibited reaction is necessary in these organisms for the synthesis of folic acid.
Generic Name
Sulfacetamide
Drug Category
Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Sulfacetamide
Acetocid; Acetosulfamin; Acetosulfamine; Ak-Sulf; Albamine; Albucid; Alesten; Bleph-10; Bleph-10 Liquifilm; Cetamide; Formosulfacetamide; Gyne-Sulf; I-Sulfacet; Isopto Cetamide; Isopto-Cetamide; Klaron; N'-Acetylsulfanilamide; N-Acetylsulfanilamide; N-Acetylsulfanilamine; N-Sulfanilylacetamide; N-Sulphanilylacetamide; Oclucid; Ocusulf-10; Op-Sulfa 30; Ophthacet; Ophthel-S; P-Aminobenzenesulfonacetamide; P-Aminobenzenesulfonoacetamide; Region; Sebizon; Sodium Sulamyd; Sodium Sulfacetamide; Steramide; Steri-Units Sulfacetamide; Sulamyd; Sulf-10; Sulf-15; Sulfacel-15; Sulfacet; Sulfacetamide Sodium; Sulfacetamide Sodium Anhydrous; Sulfacetamide Sodium Usp; Sulfacetimide; Sulfacyl; Sulfair; Sulfair 10; Sulfair 15; Sulfair Forte; Sulfair-15; Sulfamide; Sulfanilacetamide; Sulfanilazetamid; Sulfex; Sulphacetamide; Sulphacetamide Sodium; Sulphasil; Sulten-10; Sultrin; Trysul; Urosulfon; Urosulfone;
Toxicity (Overdose)
Oral LD50 Mouse : 16500 mg/kg. Side effects include moderate to severe erythema (redness) and moderate edema (raised kin), nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and tiredness. Higher exposure causes unconsciousness.
Half Life
7-12.8 hours
Dosage Forms of Sodium Sulfacetamide
Solution / drops Ophthalmic
Chemical IUPAC Name
N-(4-aminophenyl)sulfonylacetamide
Chemical Formula
C8H10N2O3S
Organisms Affected
Enteric bacteria and other eubacteria