Argedine

Argedine (silver sulfadiazine) is an antimicrobial drug that has a bactericidal effect. It contains silver sulfadiazine as an active ingredient. Silver sulfadiazine is used in medical practice to treat and prevent skin infections, wounds, burns, and to treat some eye infections.

The drug acts by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria by suppressing the synthesis and utilization of purine bases required for bacterial DNA synthesis. Silver sulfadiazine is active against a wide range of bacteria, including staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli and other pathogens.

Argedin is usually applied as an ointment, cream or powder for external use on the skin or wound surface. It can be used as a topical antimicrobial agent for the treatment of various skin infections, as well as for the prevention of infections in wounds and burns.

Indications Argedina

• Skin infections: Argedin can be used to treat various skin infections such as pyoderma, furunculosis, impetigo and other bacterial infections.
• Wounds and burns: The use of Argedin helps prevent infection of wounds and burns and promotes their healing.
• Surgical wounds: After surgical interventions, Argedin can be used to prevent infections in the surgical wound.
• Burn Care: Argedin is widely used to treat burns of varying severity, helping to prevent infections and speed up the healing process.
• Infection prevention: In some cases, Argedin may be used to prevent infections following burns, injuries or surgery.

Release form

• Ointment: Usually a soft texture that is easy to apply to the skin or wound surface. The ointment contains silver sulfadiazine in a concentration that is usually 1%.
• Cream: Cream has a lighter texture than ointment and is usually quickly absorbed into the skin. It also contains silver sulfadiazine in a concentration usually of 1%.

Pharmacodynamics

• Bacteriostatic action: Silver sulfadiazine is an antibacterial agent that inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria. It acts as an antifolate agent by blocking the synthesis of folic acid, which is necessary for the synthesis of bacterial DNA and RNA.
• Broad spectrum of action: Silver sulfadiazine is active against many pathogenic bacteria, including staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli and others.
• Effect on skin and wounds: Argedin, which contains silver sulfadiazine, can be used to treat various skin infections, wounds and burns. It helps prevent wounds and burns from becoming infected and promotes their healing.
• Prophylactic action: In addition to its therapeutic use, silver sulfadiazine can also be used to prevent infections in wounds and burns.

Pharmacokinetics

• Absorption: Silver sulfadiazine can be absorbed through the skin when applied topically in the form of an ointment, cream, or powder. However, the extent of its absorption and the rate at which peak blood concentrations are reached are unknown.
• Distribution: After absorption, silver sulfadiazine can be distributed throughout the body. It is likely to be distributed to tissues and organs where it may exert antimicrobial activity.
• Metabolism: Information on the metabolism of silver sulfadiazine is limited. It may be metabolized in the body, but the specific metabolic pathways are unknown.
• Excretion: Silver sulfadiazine can be excreted from the body via the kidneys or the intestines. The half-life and routes of excretion also vary and depend on various factors, including renal and hepatic function.

Dosing and administration

• Cream: Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected skin area or wound once or twice daily, depending on your doctor's instructions. Before applying, thoroughly clean and treat the skin or wound surface. Avoid getting the product in your eyes, mouth, or nasal passages.
• Dosage: The dosage depends on the severity of the infection, the size of the affected area, the age and condition of the patient. It is usually recommended to use the drug once or twice a day. The dosage can be adjusted by the doctor depending on the clinical effect and the patient's tolerance.
• Duration of treatment: The duration of treatment with Argedin is determined by the doctor and depends on the severity of the infection, the rate of healing and other factors. Usually, treatment continues until complete recovery or as recommended by the doctor.

Use Argedina during pregnancy

• Sulfadiazine toxicity:

  • Studies have shown that sulfadiazine can reduce the birth rate when administered to pregnant mice, especially if administered before the eighth day of pregnancy. This suggests possible effects on female sex hormones or gonadotropic hormones (Bass et al., 1951).

• Agranulocytosis:

  • Cases of agranulocytosis have been reported in infants following the use of silver sulfadiazine. This may be due to either an allergic reaction or bone marrow toxicity. In one case, agranulocytosis developed in a 2-month-old infant following the use of silver sulfadiazine on a small area of skin (Viala et al., 1997).

• Use for burns during pregnancy:

  • In one study, two pregnant patients were successfully treated for burns using silver sulfadiazine. In both cases, no adverse events to the fetus were reported, suggesting that the drug may be safe when applied topically (Correia-Sá et al., 2020).

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity: People with known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to silver sulfadiazine or other components of the drug should avoid its use.
• Skin lesions: It is not recommended to apply Argedin to skin with severe lesions, ulcers or open wounds, especially if there is a risk of absorption of silver sulfadiazine and its accumulation in the body.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The use of Argedin may be contraindicated during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as its safety for the fetus or breastfed infant has not been established.
• Childhood: For children under a certain age, a restriction on the use of the drug may be established. This depends on the individual characteristics of the patient and the doctor's recommendations.
• Eye Infections: It is not recommended to use Argedin to treat eye infections without consulting an ophthalmologist.

Side effects Argedina

• Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions to silver sulfadiazine are possible and may include skin rash, itching, redness of the skin, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, and other signs of allergy.
• Application site reactions: Skin irritation, burning, redness, dryness or blistering may occur with topical application.
• Blood changes: Some people may experience blood changes such as agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, or leukopenia with long-term use of Argedin.
• Metallic taste: In rare cases, patients may experience a metallic taste in the mouth after using the drug.
• Kidney or liver problems: Some people may develop kidney or liver problems when using silver sulfadiazine in high doses or with long-term treatment.
• Other rare side effects: These may include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other adverse reactions.

Overdose

• Increased side effects such as allergic reactions, skin rashes, severe irritation or redness of the skin.
• Poisoning followed by impairment of kidney or liver function.
• Serious systemic reactions including agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia or other blood abnormalities.
• Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache or general malaise.

Interactions with other drugs

Information on the interactions of Argedin (silver sulfadiazine) with other drugs is limited. However, in general, when topical antimicrobials such as Argedin are used externally, systemic interactions with other drugs are usually minimal.

• Medicines containing sulfonamides: Using Argedin simultaneously with other sulfonamides (eg, sulfonamide antibiotics) may increase the risk of developing side effects such as allergic reactions or blood disorders.
• Silver-containing drugs: Concomitant use of Argedin with other silver-containing drugs may lead to increased toxicity of this metal.
• Topical preparations: When Argedin is used simultaneously with other topical preparations, competition for skin space or a decrease in the effectiveness of one of the preparations may occur.