Silver Sulfadiazine (SSD), Ophthalmic
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Silver Sulfadiazine (SSD), Ophthalmic during a consultation by Dr Noor in Perth.”
Silver Sulfadiazine (SSD), Ophthalmic for pets
(sil-ver sul-fa-dye-ah-zeen)
Description:
This is a medicine put on the surface of the body that helps fight fungus and bacteria.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Silvadene®
Common Dosage Forms:
- Veterinary: None.
- Human: In people, silver sulfadiazine is approved as a 10 mg/g (1%) cream used on the skin. However, a version made for use in the eye is not currently produced. For eye use, trained professionals must specially make it (compound it) into an eye ointment or an eye liquid.
Antimicrobial Classification:
Highly Important
Key Information
- Do not combine other medicines directly into this medicine.
- Use careful dosing steps so the medicine does not get contaminated. Keep the cap firmly closed whenever you are not using it.
- After you put this medicine in the eye, wait 5 minutes before you put any other eye medicine in.
- Keep it at room temperature and protect it from moisture and direct light; do not freeze it.
- Do not use this medicine if its color looks different than it should.
How is this medication useful?
Silver sulfadiazine is used for infections in the eye caused by bacteria and fungus in horses and other animals. For eye use, it must be specially prepared (compounded) by trained professionals. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best option.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the following so you can make treatment choices together.
Other medicines may affect this medicine. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including:
- other eye medicines
- vitamins
- supplements
- herbal products
Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
If your animal has had the same illness or problem before, tell your veterinarian what was used to treat it and whether it helped or did not help.
If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past medicine-related problems your animal has had, including side effects such as:
- allergic reactions
- reduced appetite
- diarrhea
- itching
- hair loss
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
This medicine is expected to begin working within 1 to 2 hours. Even so, you may not be able to see changes right away. Your animal may start to feel better within 1 to 2 days. This medicine does not last long in the body, meaning its effect ends within 24 hours.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
If your animal fits any of the situations listed below, discuss the possible risks and benefits with your veterinarian.
- That have an allergy to this medicine or to similar medicines.
- That have a subpalpebral lavage (SPL) catheter (horses). This is a special eye catheter placed by a veterinarian. This medicine will clog the catheter.
- For extended periods, because the skin around the eyes may become darker due to silver building up (argyrism).
What are the side effects of this medication?
If any of these signs are strong, get worse, or do not go away, contact your veterinarian.
If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- A mild burning feeling, stinging, irritation, or redness in the eyes.
- Silver collecting in the skin around the eye, which can cause discoloration (argyrism).
- Trouble breathing or swelling in the throat, which may be signs of a severe allergic reaction to this medicine.
- The eye problem getting worse after 7–10 days of treatment.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
When this is used as an eye medicine, giving too much is not likely. However, problems or toxic effects could happen if your animal eats the medicine. If that occurs, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for guidance.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work as intended, give it exactly the way your veterinarian instructed. Always read the prescription label to confirm you are giving it correctly.
- Put this medicine into your animal’s eye in the exact amount your veterinarian prescribed.
- Clean your hands before you give this medicine.
- To avoid contaminating the medicine, do not let the tip of the dropper touch your animal’s eye or touch any other surface.
- If any medicine remains on your animal’s face after dosing, softly clean it away using a damp cloth or a tissue.
- If you need to give more than one eye medicine, wait 5 minutes between each one before giving the next. Give eye drops before eye ointments so the drops can soak into the eye.
- If you are using this medicine as an eye liquid for your horse, your veterinarian may have placed a special eye catheter called a subpalpebral lavage (SPL) catheter. DO NOT PUT THIS MEDICINE IN THE SPL CATHETER.
- If you are struggling to apply the medicine, or if your animal will not tolerate the treatment, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for advice on how to give it and how to reduce stress during dosing.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it. You may need prescription refills before the full course is finished. Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed one; instead, give the next dose at the usual time. Then continue with the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container, following the directions from your pharmacist or veterinarian.
- Follow the storage guidance and the expiration date for the product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special handling steps are required unless you are allergic to it. It is still recommended that you wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not pour this medicine into the toilet or down a sink.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that.
- If there is no take-back option:
- combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unattractive to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching the trash
- put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks
- place it in the household trash
Do not keep leftover medicine for later use, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- This medicine may be prohibited in some animal competitions. Before entering a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine, check the applicable rules.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”
Related Medication Information
- Azithromycin, Ophthalmic
- Chloramphenicol, Ophthalmic
- Ciprofloxacin, Ophthalmic
- Erythromycin, Ophthalmic
- Gentamicin Sulfate, Ophthalmic