Sodium Sulfacetamide 9.8% and Sulfur 4.8% Cleanser
9.8 mg/g + 4.8 mg/g · Liquid
- Prescription only
- Sulfonamide Antibacterial
- Active substance
- Sulfacetamide Sodium, Sulfur
- Made by
- Akron Pharma Inc.
- Source
- Official label
Quoted from the official source. Not yet reviewed by Mediclarum — the leaflet in your pack is authoritative.
At a glance
Quoted from the official label · 2024-09-24
Sulfonamide Antibacterial
- SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER is indicated for use in the topical control of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.
SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER is contraindicated for use by patients having known hypersensitivity to sulfonamides, sulfur or any other component of this preparation.
All warnings ↓- Prescription only
- FDA enforcement reports list no ongoing recall, and none from the last two years, for this product code · checked 2026-10-02
Every line above is selected, not written, from the official label. Nothing is reworded. DailyMed
What it is for
- SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER is indicated for use in the topical control of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.
From the official label · 2024-09-24 · DailyMed
How it works
From this product’s own US prescribing label.
The most widely accepted mechanism of action of sulfonamides is the Woods-Fildes theory, which is based on the fact that sulfonamides act as competitive antagonists to para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), an essential component for bacterial growth.
While absorption through intact skin has not been determined, sodium sulfacetamide is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract when taken orally and excreted in the urine, largely unchanged.
While absorption through intact skin has not been determined, sodium sulfacetamide is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract when taken orally and excreted in the urine, largely unchanged.
Quoted from the prescribing label, sections “Mechanism of Action” and “Pharmacokinetics”. DailyMed · 2024-09-24
Do not take it if
- SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER is contraindicated for use by patients having known hypersensitivity to sulfonamides, sulfur or any other component of this preparation.
- SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER is not to be used by patients with kidney disease.
Quoted from the official label, section “Contraindications”.
How to take it
These directions are for this exact strength and form. Another one is different.
- Wash affected areas with SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER 1 to 2 times daily or as directed by a physician.
- Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes.
- Wet skin and liberally apply to areas to be cleansed, massage gently into skin for 10 to 20 seconds working into a full lather, rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
- If drying occurs, it may be controlled by rinsing cleanser off sooner or using cleanser less often.
Quoted from the official label, section “Dosage & Administration”.
Other warnings
- Although rare, sensitivity to sodium sulfacetamide may occur.
- Therefore, caution and careful supervision should be observed when prescribing this drug for patients who may be prone to hypersensitivity to topical sulfonamides.
- Systemic toxic reactions such as agranulocytosis, acute hemolytic anemia, purpura hemorrhagica, drug fever, jaundice and contact dermatitis indicate hypersensitivity to sulfonamides.
- Particular caution should be employed if areas of denuded or abraded skin are involved.
- Sulfonamides are known to cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome in hypersensitive individuals.
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome also has been reported following the use of sodium sulfacetamide topically.
- Cases of drug induced systemic lupus erythematosus from topical sulfacetamide also have been reported.
- In one of these cases, there was a fatal outcome.
- KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
- FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY.
- NOT FOR OPHTHALMIC USE.
- General:
- If irritation develops, use of the product should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.
- Patients should be carefully observed for possible local irritation or sensitization during long-term therapy.
- The object of this therapy is to achieve desquamation without irritation, but sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur can cause reddening and scaling of the epidermis.
- These side effects are not unusual in the treatment of acne vulgaris, but patients should be cautioned about the possibility.
- Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis and Impairment of Fertility:
- Long-term studies in animals have not been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential.
- Pregnancy: Category C.
- Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER.
- It is also not known whether SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity.
- SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
- Nursing Mothers:
- It is not known whether sodium sulfacetamide is excreted in human milk following topicaI use of SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER.
- However, small amounts of orally administered sulfonamides have been reported to be excreted in human milk.
- In view of this and because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER is administered to a nursing woman.
- Pediatric Use:
- Safety and effectiveness in
- children under the age of 12 has not been established.
Quoted from the official label, section “Warnings”.
Side effects
Although rare, sodium sulfacetamide may cause local irritation. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Quoted from the official label, section “Adverse Reactions”.
What it looks like and how it is packed
SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE 9.8% - SULFUR 4.8% CLEANSER is supplied in an 10oz. (285 g) bottle, NDC 71399-0486-1
Quoted from the official label, section “How Supplied”.
How to store it
- Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). [See USP “Controlled Room Temperature.”] Note:
- Protect from freezing and excessive heat.
- The product may tend to darken slightly on storage.
- Slight discoloration does not impair the efficacy or safety of the product.
- Keep container or packet tightly closed.
- Occasionally, a slight yellowish discoloration may occur when an excessive amount of the product is used and comes in contact with white fabrics.
- This discoloration, however, presents no problem, as it is readily removed by ordinary laundering without bleaches.
- All prescription substitutions and/or recommendations using this product shall be made subject to state and federal statutes as applicable.
- Please NOTE:
- This is not an Orange Book product and has not been subjected to FDA therapeutic or other equivalency testing.
- No representation is made as to generic status or bioequivalency.
- Each person recommending a prescription substitution using this product shall make such recommendation based on his/her professional knowledge and opinion, upon evaluating the active ingredients, inactive ingredients, excipients and chemical information provided herein.
- QUESTIONS? Please Call 1(877) 225-6999 Manufactured for: Akron Pharma, Inc.
- Fairfield, NJ 07004 Manufactured in U.S.A
Quoted from the official label, section “Storage and Handling”.
Ingredients people check for
Lactose, gluten, dyes, sugars and other ingredients that matter with an allergy, intolerance or diet — as this product’s FDA label lists them.
The stored label for this product has no list of inactive ingredients. The list on the pack is the one to check.
Quoted from the FDA label. A label that does not name an ingredient is not a guarantee that the product is free of it, and formulations change. With an allergy, check the pack and ask a pharmacist.
Details
| Made by | Akron Pharma Inc. |
|---|---|
| Active substance | Sulfacetamide Sodium, Sulfur |
| Used in | Antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals taken into the body |
| Strength | 9.8 mg/g + 4.8 mg/g |
| Form | Liquid |
| Route | Topical |
| Packs | 285 g in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC |
| NDC | 71399-0486 |
Source: NDC Directory · 2026-09-13 · not reviewed by a clinician
Source: US Food and Drug Administration, NDC Directory. Reuse terms: US government work (FDA).
Other strengths and forms
4 products are sold under this name. Grouped by form; a number on a strength means several companies make it.
- Liquid4 products
- 9.8 mg/g + 4.8 mg/g
48 mg/g + 98 mg/g2
48 mg/g + 98 mg/g · 2 companies
- 98 mg/g + 48 mg/g
Same active substance
These contain the same substance. That does not mean one can replace another — ask a pharmacist.