Silvadene Cream vs. Santyl

Silvadene Cream 1% (silver sulfadiazine) and santyl are antibiotics used to treat or prevent infections on areas of burned skin.

Santyl is also used to prevent minor skin infections caused by small cuts or scrapes.

A brand name for santyl is Baciguent.

Side effects of Silvadene Cream that are different from santyl include pain, burning, or itching of the treated skin, upset stomach, or discoloration (brown/gray/blue) of skin and mucous membranes (such as the gums).

Side effects of santyl that are different from Silvadene Cream are rare and may include other types of skin infections (such as fungal or other bacterial infections).

Silvadene Cream may interact with cimetidine.

Santyl may interact with other drugs.

Side effects of Silvadene Cream include:

• pain,
• burning, or
• itching of the treated skin,
• upset stomach, or
• discoloration (brown/gray/blue) of skin and mucous membranes (such as the gums).

Common side effects of Santyl include:

• pain or a burning feeling at the affected area, or
• temporary redness or irritation in the skin around the affected area.
• Treatment of burns and skin ulcers by breaking up and removing dead skin and tissue may infrequently increase the risk for serious infection (sepsis) and may be a side effect of Santyl.

Tell your doctor if you notice symptoms of serious infection, including:

• fever,
• chills,
• fast breathing (hyperventilation),
• fast heartbeat,
• warm skin, or
• weakness.

Silvadene Cream 1% (silver sulfadiazine) is a topical (for the skin) antibiotic used to treat or prevent infections on areas of burned skin.

Santyl (collagenase) is an enzyme used to help the healing of burns, skin wounds, and skin ulcers.

Silvadene Cream may interact with cimetidine. Tell your doctor all medications you use. During pregnancy, Silvadene Cream should be used only when prescribed. It must not be used near the expected delivery date because of possible harm to the fetus. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Similar drugs pass into breast milk and may harm nursing infants who are ill, premature, less than 2 months old, or who have certain disorders (such as jaundice, high blood levels of bilirubin, G6PD deficiency). Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended in infants with these conditions. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Skin products containing heavy metals such as lead, mercury or silver, may decrease the effect of Santyl. There are no warnings about use of this medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Burn areas should be covered with Silvadene Cream 1% at all times. The cream should be applied once to twice daily to a thickness of approximately 1/16 inch. Whenever necessary, the cream should be reapplied to any areas where it has been removed by patient activity.

Santyl is an ointment that is applied once/day to affected areas. Cleanse the areas first with saline solution, and apply any additional antibiotic ointments as directed by your doctor before applying Santyl.