Mexar Wash

Generic Name: Sulfacetamide Wash (sul-fa-SEE-ta-mide)
Brand Name: Examples include Mexar and Ovace

Mexar Wash is used for:

Treating certain skin conditions (eg, seborrheic dermatitis), dandruff, and certain bacterial infections of the skin. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Mexar Wash is a sulfonamide antibiotic. It works by killing bacteria.

Do NOT use Mexar Wash if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Mexar Wash
you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to any other sulfonamide medicine, such as acetazolamide, celecoxib, certain diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), glyburide, probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib, or zonisamide
you are taking methenamine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Mexar Wash:

Some medical conditions may interact with Mexar Wash. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have a history of lupus

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Mexar Wash. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Silver-containing products (eg, silver sulfadiazine) because they may decrease Mexar Wash's effectiveness
Methenamine because it may increase the risk of Mexar Wash's side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Mexar Wash may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Mexar Wash:

Use Mexar Wash as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Mexar Wash is for use on the skin only. Mexar Wash may stain clothing and the skin if too much is used.
To clear up your infection completely, use Mexar Wash for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
Mexar Wash works best if it is used at the same time each day.
Continue to use Mexar Wash even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
If you miss a dose of Mexar Wash, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Mexar Wash.

Important safety information:

It may take several days for Mexar Wash to work fully.
Avoid getting Mexar Wash in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Talk with your doctor before you use any other medicines or cleansers on your skin.
Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
Mexar Wash only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections.
Be sure to use Mexar Wash for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
Long-term or repeated use of Mexar Wash may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
Mexar Wash should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Mexar Wash while you are pregnant. It is not known if Mexar Wash is found in breast milk after topical use. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Mexar Wash, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Mexar Wash:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Irritation, stinging, or burning of the skin.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody diarrhea; fever; joint pain; red, swollen, or blistered skin; severe diarrhea; sores in the mouth; stomach cramps/pain.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center ( http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Mexar Wash may be harmful if swallowed. Symptoms of ingestion may include change in the amount of urine; nausea; vomiting.

Proper storage of Mexar Wash:

Store Mexar Wash at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze. Keep Mexar Wash out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

If you have any questions about Mexar Wash, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Mexar Wash is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about this medicine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: September 3, 2008

Database Edition 08.3.1.003