Gluten Free

Gluten Free

Diabetes Friendly

Diabetes Friendly

Real Food Revolution

Real Food Revolution

More Special Diets

More Special Diets

Go Here Test

Mafenide

This form:

Pronounced

"MAY-feh-nide"

Common brand names:

Sulfamylon

Uses

This medication is used alone or with other medications to help prevent and treat wound infections in patients with severe burns. Mafenide is a drug applied to the skin that belongs to a class of drugs known as sulfa antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria that may infect an open wound. Killing bacteria helps to promote wound healing and to decrease the risk of the bacteria spreading to surrounding skin or to the blood, thereby helping to prevent a serious blood infection (sepsis).

How to Use This Medication

Wash hands before and after using this medication. Use this medication on the skin only. After cleaning the affected area, wear a clean pair of medical gloves (such as latex, vinyl) and apply this medication to the wound as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily. The layer of cream should be about one-sixteenth of an inch (1 to 2 millimeters) thick. The wound should be covered with this medication at all times. Bandages do not need to be used to cover the wound. If some of the cream rubs off the wound, re-apply it right away. Length of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Do not stop using this medication until told to do so by your doctor.

If possible, bathe at least once a day to help remove the dead skin from the wound to allow healing to occur. Be sure to re-apply this medication after bathing.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse or if you notice increasing redness/tenderness of the skin around the wound.

Copyright © 2025 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.

RxAnswers™ is a copyrighted combined product from TraceGains and First DataBank, Inc.

Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

Learn more about First DataBank

There are some limitations on the information provided in “Nutrient Interactions.” Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article. Please read the disclaimer.

Learn more about TraceGains, the company.

TraceGains and/or its suppliers make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy or completeness of this content herein or that of any organization referred or linked to within this content and will not be liable for any damages arising out of your access to or use of any information found herein or that of any organization referred to within this content.

Information expires December 2025.