Updated: January 25, 2026
What Is Silver Sulfadiazine? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026
Author
Peter Daggett
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini
Overview
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is a prescription topical cream for second and third degree burns. Here's everything you need to know about it in 2026.
Is Silver Sulfadiazine in stock near you?
Medfinder checks real pharmacy inventory — start a search and we'll find Silver Sulfadiazine near you.
Silver sulfadiazine is a topical antimicrobial cream used to prevent and treat bacterial infections in burn wounds. It has been a standard of care in burn centers since the FDA approved the original brand Silvadene in 1973. Here is a complete overview of what the drug is, what it treats, and how to use it correctly.
Brand Names and Generic Names
Silver sulfadiazine is available under several names:
Generic name: Silver sulfadiazine
Brand names: Silvadene (original Pfizer brand, discontinued), SSD, SSD Cream, Thermazene, SSD AF
International brand: Flamazine (discontinued by Smith+Nephew in UK/Canada in 2025-2026)
Check live stock now.
What Is Silver Sulfadiazine Used For?
Silver sulfadiazine is FDA-approved as an adjunct for the prevention and treatment of wound sepsis (serious bacterial infection) in patients with second- and third-degree burns. In plain English, that means it is applied to moderate to severe burn wounds to stop bacteria from infecting the exposed tissue.
It has broad antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive bacteria (like Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA) and gram-negative bacteria (like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli), as well as yeast. This broad spectrum makes it especially valuable in burn wounds, which are highly susceptible to infection from many types of organisms.
What Form Does It Come In?
Silver sulfadiazine is available as a 1% topical cream. It is a white, opaque, water-miscible cream containing 10mg of silver sulfadiazine per gram (1% by weight). It is available in multiple tube and jar sizes: 20g, 25g, 50g, 85g, 400g, and 1,000g (the larger sizes are for hospital use). Generic versions are available from several manufacturers.
How to Apply Silver Sulfadiazine
Always follow your doctor's or nurse's specific instructions. The general protocol from the FDA label is:
Clean and debride the wound before application.
Apply the cream using sterile technique (sterile gloves and sterile applicators).
Apply to a thickness of approximately 1/16 inch (about 1-2 mm).
Apply once or twice daily (as directed by your provider).
The wound should be covered with the cream at all times. Dressings may be applied over the cream if needed.
Reapply if the cream is removed by patient activity or after hydrotherapy.
Continue treatment until the wound is healed or ready for skin grafting.
Is Silver Sulfadiazine a Controlled Substance?
No. Silver sulfadiazine is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. It is a prescription-only medication, but it does not have the special prescribing restrictions that apply to controlled substances like opioids or benzodiazepines. Any licensed prescriber — including urgent care physicians, NPs, and PAs — can prescribe it.
How Long Does Treatment Last?
Treatment typically continues for 1 to 3 weeks for minor to moderate burns, or until the wound is fully healed. For more serious burns requiring hospitalization and potential skin grafting, the duration depends on clinical progress. Do not stop treatment early without consulting your provider, as the burn wound must remain protected.
50K+Found
99%Rate
6+on average
Who Should Not Use Silver Sulfadiazine?
People with sulfonamide (sulfa) allergies
Pregnant women at or near term (third trimester)
Premature infants or newborns under 2 months of age (risk of kernicterus)
Patients with G6PD deficiency (risk of hemolytic anemia)
Where Can I Fill My Silver Sulfadiazine Prescription?
Silver sulfadiazine is not always on the shelf at every retail pharmacy. medfinder can help you locate a pharmacy near you that has it in stock — without making phone calls yourself.
Want to understand how it works? See: How Does Silver Sulfadiazine Work? Mechanism of Action Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Silver sulfadiazine 1% cream is FDA-approved to prevent and treat bacterial infections in second- and third-degree burn wounds. It has broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive bacteria (including MRSA), gram-negative bacteria (including Pseudomonas), and yeast. It is applied once or twice daily until the wound heals or is ready for skin grafting.
Yes. Silvadene was the original brand name for silver sulfadiazine 1% cream, first FDA-approved in 1973. The brand has been discontinued, but the generic medication — sold as SSD, SSD Cream, Thermazene, and by manufacturers such as Ascend Laboratories — is still widely available by prescription.
Silver sulfadiazine is typically applied once or twice daily, as directed by your doctor. The wound must be covered with the cream at all times. Reapply if the cream is removed by activity or after hydrotherapy. Always follow your specific prescriber's instructions.
No. Silver sulfadiazine is a prescription-only medication in the United States. You need a prescription from a licensed provider to purchase it at a pharmacy. It is not available OTC in the US, though it may be available without a prescription in some other countries.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Medfinder's mission is to ensure every patient gets access to the medications they need. We are committed to providing trustworthy, evidence-based information to help you make informed health decisions.
Read our editorial standardsPatients searching for Silver Sulfadiazine also looked for:
More about Silver Sulfadiazine
Why Is Silver Sulfadiazine So Hard to Find? [Explained for 2026]
How to Find Silver Sulfadiazine in Stock Near You (Tools + Tips)
Alternatives to Silver Sulfadiazine If You Can't Fill Your Prescription
Silver Sulfadiazine Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026
Silver Sulfadiazine Shortage: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know in 2026
How to Help Your Patients Find Silver Sulfadiazine in Stock: A Provider's Guide
37,834 have already found their meds with Medfinder.
Start your search today.
Your information is private and never shared.