selenium sulfide topical (Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment, SelRx, Selsun Rx, TersiFoam)

Dosing and uses of Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment (selenium sulfide topical)

• Adult
• Pediatric

 

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