What Is Santyl? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

If your doctor prescribed Santyl for your wound, you might be wondering what exactly it is and how it works. This guide covers everything you need to know about Santyl (collagenase ointment) — from what it is and what it treats to how to use it and what it costs.

What Is Santyl?

Santyl is the brand name for collagenase ointment, an FDA-approved prescription topical medication used to remove dead tissue from wounds. It has been prescribed by healthcare professionals for more than 50 years.

Santyl is made by Smith & Nephew, Inc. and is currently the only FDA-approved enzymatic debriding ointment in the United States. There is no generic version.

Key facts about Santyl:

Generic name: Collagenase topical

Drug class: Topical enzymatic debriding agent

Dosage form: Ointment, 250 units per gram in white petrolatum USP

Tube sizes: 30-gram and 90-gram tubes

Controlled substance: No — Santyl is not a scheduled controlled substance

Prescription required: Yes — available only by prescription

What Is Santyl Used For?

Santyl is FDA-approved for two indications:

Debriding chronic dermal ulcers — This includes pressure ulcers (also called bedsores), diabetic foot ulcers, and venous leg ulcers that have dead or necrotic tissue preventing proper healing.

Debriding severely burned areas — Including second- and third-degree burns where dead tissue must be removed to allow healing.

"Debridement" means removing dead, damaged, or necrotic tissue from a wound. When dead tissue accumulates in a wound, it blocks the healing process and increases the risk of infection. Santyl breaks down this dead tissue enzymatically, clearing the way for healthy skin to grow.

How Is Santyl Applied? Dosage and Instructions

Clean the wound. Gently clean the wound with normal saline solution or Dakin's solution before applying Santyl. Avoid Betadine, hydrogen peroxide, and silver-containing products — these inactivate the enzyme.

Protect surrounding skin. Apply zinc oxide paste or petroleum jelly around (but not on) the wound to protect healthy skin from the ointment.

Apply Santyl to the wound bed. Apply a thin layer of Santyl directly to the wound area only, or apply it to a sterile gauze pad and place that on the wound.

Cover with a dressing. Cover with a sterile, non-adherent dressing secured in place.

Frequency: Once daily is standard. Apply more frequently if the dressing becomes soiled (for example, from incontinence).

When to stop: Continue using Santyl until your provider says debridement is complete and healthy granulation tissue has formed. Do not stop early without consulting your provider.

How Much Does Santyl Cost?

Santyl is one of the more expensive wound care medications:

30-gram tube: $333–$450+ at retail; as low as ~$346 with GoodRx or ~$328 with SingleCare

90-gram tube: $800–$1,200+ at retail

With the Santyl Copay Assistance Card: As low as $20–$50 per fill for commercially insured patients (available at santyl.com/card)

With insurance + prior authorization: Copay varies widely by plan

Important Things to Know About Santyl

Do NOT use Betadine, silver products, or detergents on the wound — they destroy the enzyme

Store Santyl at room temperature (68–77°F / 20–25°C) — do not refrigerate or freeze

Santyl is for adults — safety and effectiveness in children have not been established in controlled trials

Santyl is not interchangeable with any other product — there is no generic or biosimilar

To learn more about how Santyl works, see: How Does Santyl Work? Mechanism of Action Explained. If you're having trouble finding Santyl at a pharmacy, medfinder can locate it near you.