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Bactroban Cream vs. Silvadene Cream

Are Bactroban and Silvadene Cream the Same Thing?

Bactroban Cream (mupirocin calcium cream) and Silvadene Cream 1% (silver sulfadiazine) are topical (for the skin) antibiotics used to treat infections of the skin.

Bactroban Cream is used to treat impetigo.

Silvadene Cream is used to treat or prevent infections on areas of burned skin.

Side effects of Bactroban Cream and Silvadene Cream that are similar include pain, burning, or itching of the treated skin.

Side effects of Bactroban Cream that are different from Silvadene Cream include skin stinging.

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

Bactroban Cream may interact with other products on the same area at the same time.

Silvadene Cream may interact with cimetidine.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Bactroban?

Common side effects of Bactroban include:

  • burning,
  • stinging,
  • itching or pain at first as your body adjusts to it.

Tell your doctor if you experience:

  • unusual blistering,
  • itching,
  • redness,
  • peeling,
  • dryness, or
  • irritation of the skin.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Silvadene Cream?

Common 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).

What Is Bactroban?

Bactroban Cream (mupirocin calcium cream) is an antibiotic used to treat infections of the skin such as impetigo.

What Is Silvadene Cream?

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

What Drugs Interact With Bactroban?

Avoid using other products on the same area at the same time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Bactroban Cream is unlikely to harm a fetus. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant to discuss the risks and benefits. This medication passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Silvadene Cream?

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.

How Should Bactroban Be Taken?

Dosing: A small amount of Bactroban Cream should be applied to the affected area three times daily for 10 days. Other topical medications may change the way that your skin absorbs Bactroban Cream topical.

How Should Silvadene Cream Be Taken?

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.

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