selenium sulfide topical (Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment, SelRx, Selsun Rx, TersiFoam)
Classes: Topical Skin Products
- Dosing and uses of Head & Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment (selenium sulfide topical)
- Head & Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment (selenium sulfide topical) adverse (side) effects
- Warnings
- Pregnancy
- Pharmacology of Head & Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment (selenium sulfide topical)
Dosing and uses of Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment (selenium sulfide topical)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
water & lipid based foam
- 2.25% (TersiFoam)
lotion
- 2.5%
shampoo
- 1%
- 2.3% (SelRx)
Tinea Versicolor
Apply 2.5-2.5% lotion/shampoo to affected area and lather with small amounts of water; leave on skin for 10 min and rinse thoroughly; apply qDay for 7 days
TersiFoam: Rub foam into affected skin q12hr
Dandruff, Seborrhea
Wet skin/scalp and apply 5-10 mL of shampoo to areas to be cleansed; apply 2 times/week for 2 weeks initially, and THEN once q1-2weeks to control symptoms
Allow to remain on skin/scalp for 2-3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly
Repeat application if scalp affected and rinse again
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
Safety and efficacy not established
Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment (selenium sulfide topical) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Transient stinging
Burning
Lethargy
Alopecia or hair discoloration
Tremor
Unusual dryness or oilness of scalp
Diaphoresis
Abdominal pain
Garlic breath
Itching or irritation
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to selenium sulfide
Not for ophthalmic, oral, anal or intravaginal use
Cautions
Avoid contact with all mucous membranes, including eyes, lips, broken/inflamed skin
Do not use where inflammation or exudation is present, as increased absorption may occur
Risk of systemic toxicity
Discontinue of redness or irritation occur
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: not known if distributed in human milk; use cation
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment (selenium sulfide topical)
Mechanism of action
Not yet known, although topically selenium sulfide appears to have cytostatic effect on cells of the epidermis, reducing corneocyte production
May block enzymes responsible for epithelial tissue growth
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: May be absorbed through damaged skin, not through intact skin