Medicine guide

Sodium Sulfacetamide 9.8% and Sulfur 4.8% Cleanser

98 mg/g + 48 mg/g · Liquid

  • Prescription only
  • Sulfonamide Antibacterial
Made by
Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC

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 · 2026-07-13

What it is

Sulfonamide Antibacterial

Used for
  • Sodium Sulfacetamide 9.8% - Sulfur 4.8% Cleanser is indicated in the topical control of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.
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.

All warnings ↓
Good to know
  • Prescription only
  • FDA enforcement reports list no ongoing recall, and none from the last two years, for this product code · checked 2026-10-02
47other products contain Sulfacetamide Sodium, Sulfur — compare makers, forms and strengths

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 in the topical control of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.

From the official label · 2026-07-13 · 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.

Half-life7–12.8 h
Mostly cleared after≈ 2 daysfive half-lives — our arithmetic
How it leaves the body

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 · 2026-07-13

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 once or twice daily, or as directed by your 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 skin dryness occurs, it may be controlled by rinsing off sooner or using less frequently.

Quoted from the official label, section “Dosage & Administration”.

Other warnings

  • Although rare, sensitivity to sodium sulfonamide 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.
  • FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY.
  • Keep away from eyes.
  • Keep out of reach of children.
  • Keep container tightly closed.
  • 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.
  • Information for patients - Avoid contact with eyes, eyelids, lips and mucous membranes.
  • If accidental contact occurs, rinse with water.
  • If excessive irritation develops, discontinue use and consult your physician.
  • 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 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 the human milk following topical use of Sodium Sulfacetamide 9.8% - Sulfur 4.8% Cleanser.
  • However, small amounts of orally administered sulfonamides have been reported to be eliminated 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 have not been established.

Quoted from the official label, section “Warnings”.

Side effects

Although rare, sodium sulfacetamide may cause local irritation.

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 a 10 oz (285 g) bottle (NDC 42192-156-10).

Quoted from the official label, section “How Supplied”.

How to store it

  • Store at 20º to 25ºC (68º to 77ºF), excursions permitted between 15º and 30ºC (between 59º and 86ºF). [See USP, “Controlled Room Temperature.”] Protect from freezing and excessive heat.
  • KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
  • All prescription substitutions using this product shall be made subject to state and federal statutes as applicable.
  • NOTE:
  • This is not an Orange Book product and has not been subjected to FDA therapeutic equivalency 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 recommendations based on each such person’s professional opinion and knowledge, upon evaluating the active ingredients, excipients, inactive ingredients and chemical formulation information provided herein.
  • MANUFACTURED FOR:
  • Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC Alpharetta, GA 30005 1-800-541-4802 L-0129 Rev. 0124-03

Quoted from the official label, section “Storage and Handling”.

What is in it

  • Each gram of Sodium Sulfacetamide 9.8% - Sulfur 4.8% Cleanser contains 98 mg of Sodium Sulfacetamide and 48 mg of Sulfur in a formulation containing Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium Oleamido MIPA Sulfosuccinate, Edetate Disodium, Glycerin Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Methylparaben, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Purified Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Thiosulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, White Petrolatum and Xanthan Gum.
  • Sodium sulfacetamide is a sulfonamide with antibacterial activity while sulfur acts as a keratolytic agent.
  • Chemically sodium sulfacetamide is N-[(4-aminophenyl) sulfonyl]-acetamide, monosodium salt, monohydrate.
  • The structural formula is: structure.jpg

Quoted from the official label, section “Description”.

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 byAcella Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Active substanceSulfacetamide Sodium, Sulfur
Used inAntibiotics, antivirals and antifungals taken into the body
Strength98 mg/g + 48 mg/g
FormLiquid
RouteTopical
Packs285 g in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC
NDC42192-156

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.

Same active substance

These contain the same substance. That does not mean one can replace another — ask a pharmacist.