Argedin

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 for the treatment and prevention of skin infections, wounds, burns, as well as for the treatment of certain eye infections.

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

Arghedine 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 to treat various skin infections, as well as to prevent infections in wounds and burns.

Indications Argedina

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

Release form

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

Pharmacodynamics

• Bacteriostatic action: Silver sulfadiazine is an antibacterial agent that inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria. It acts as an antifolate agent, 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.
• Effects on skin and wounds: Argedine containing silver sulfadiazine can be used to treat a variety of skin infections, wounds and burns. It helps prevent infection of wounds and burns, and also promotes their healing.
• Prophylactic effect: In addition to 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 ointment, cream or powder form. However, the extent of its absorption and the rate at which maximum concentrations in the blood are reached are unknown.
• Distribution: Once absorbed, silver sulfadiazine can be distributed throughout the body. It is likely distributed in tissues and organs, where it may have an antimicrobial effect.
• Metabolism: Information on the metabolism of silver sulfadiazine is limited. It is likely that it can be metabolized in the body, but the specific pathways of metabolism are unknown.
• Excretion: Silver sulfadiazine can be excreted from the body through the kidneys or intestines. Half-life and route of elimination may 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 area of skin or wound once or twice daily, depending on your doctor's instructions. Before use, thoroughly clean and treat the surface of the skin or wound. Avoid contact of the drug with the 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 may be adjusted by the physician depending on the clinical effect and patient tolerance.
• Duration of treatment: The duration of treatment with Arghedine is determined by the doctor and depends on the severity of the infection, the speed of healing and other factors. Treatment usually continues until complete recovery or as recommended by a doctor.

Use Argedina during pregnancy

• Sulfadiazine toxicity:

  • Studies have shown that sulfadiazine may reduce the birth success rate when administered to pregnant mice, especially if it is administered before the eighth day of pregnancy. This indicates a possible effect on female sex hormones or gonadotropins (Bass et al., 1951).

• Agranulocytosis:

  • Cases of agranulocytosis have been reported in infants following the use of silver sulfadiazine. This may be caused by either an allergic reaction or bone marrow toxicity. In one case, agranulocytosis developed in a two-month-old infant after application of silver sulfadiazine to 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 fetal events were reported, suggesting that the drug may be safe when applied topically (Correia-Sá et al., 2020).

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity: People with a known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to silver sulfadiazine or any other component of the drug should avoid its use.
• Skin Lesions: It is not recommended to use Argedin on 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 Breastfeeding: Use of Argedin may be contraindicated during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as its safety for the fetus or infant has not been established.
• Children: For children under a certain age, restrictions on the use of the drug may be established. This depends on the individual patient characteristics and the doctor's recommendations.
• Eye lesions: It is not recommended to use Argedin for the treatment of eye infections without consulting an ophthalmologist.

Side effects Argedina

• Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions to silver sulfadiazine are possible, which 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: When applied topically, skin irritation, burning, redness, dryness, or blistering may occur.
• Blood changes: Some people may experience blood changes such as agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, or leukopenia with long-term use of Arghedin.
• 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 experience kidney or liver problems when given silver sulfadiazine in high doses or during long-term treatment.
• Other rare side effects: These may include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and other unwanted reactions.

Overdose

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

Interactions with other drugs

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

• Drugs containing sulfonamides: Use of Argedin concomitantly with other sulfonamides (for example, sulfonamide antibiotics) may increase the risk of side effects such as allergic reactions or hematopoietic disorders.
• Drugs containing silver: Concomitant use of Argedin with other drugs containing silver may increase the toxicity of this metal.
• Drugs for external use: When using Argedin simultaneously with other drugs for external use, there may be competition for space on the skin or a decrease in the effectiveness of one of the drugs.