Silvadene Cream vs. Bacitracin

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

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

A brand name for bacitracin is Baciguent.

Side effects of Silvadene Cream that are different from bacitracin 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 bacitracin 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.

Bacitracin 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 Bacitracin include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• injection site reactions (pain, burning, or swelling),
• skin rashes, and
• possible kidney problems.

Tell your doctor if your child has serious side effects of bacitracin for injection including:

• urinating more than usual or more often,
• urinating less than usual, or not at all (fewer wet diapers),
• blood in the urine,
• lower back pain, or
• painful urination.

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

Bacitracin for Injection is an antibiotic used for the treatment of infants with pneumonia and empyema caused by staphylococci shown to be susceptible to the drug. Bacitracin for injection is available in generic form.

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.

Bacitracin may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you or your child take. During pregnancy, Bacitracin for injection should be used only if prescribed. 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.

The infant dose of Bacitracin for injection for infants under 2500 grams is 900 units/kg/24 hours in 2 or 3 divided doses. For infants over 2500 grams, the dose is 1,000 units/kg/24 hours, in 2 or 3 divided doses. In older children and adults, the dose will be determined by a physician.