Mafenide

Mafenide is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Mafenide topical (for the skin) is used to prevent infection in severe burn wounds.

Mafenide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to mafenide.

Before being treated with mafenide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially sulfa drugs), or if you have kidney disease or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Before you are treated with mafenide topical, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Tell your caregivers right away if you have a serious side effect such as pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness, chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, confusion, vomiting, appetite changes, muscle weakness, bone pain, rapid breathing, gasping, or feeling short of breath, or severe skin rash with bruising, severe tingling, numbness, or pain.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are being treated with mafenide.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and type of this medication to use. You will receive this medication in a hospital or burn unit setting.

Mafenide cream is usually applied to the burn wound once or twice a day. The wound should be kept covered with this medication at all times during treatment.

Mafenide powder is usually mixed together with a saline solution and applied over a gauze dressing using a syringe or irrigation tube. Mafenide is usually applied several times per day in order to keep the bandaging wet.

Usual Adult Dose for Burns - External:

Solution: Wet burn dressing with mafenide solution and cover grafted area. The dressing should be kept wet by injecting solution into irrigation tubing every 4 hours or moistening gauze dressing every 6 to 8 hours, as necessary.
Cream: Apply to cleaned and debrided burn(s) once or twice daily, at a thickness of not more than 1/16 inch. The cream should be reapplied whenever it is removed to keep burn(s) covered at all times. Thin layers of dressings may be used, if necessary. Treatment should continue until healing is progressing well or the skin is ready for grafting.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Burns - External:

Solution:
>3 months: Wet burn dressing with mafenide solution and cover grafted area. The dressing should be kept wet by injecting solution into irrigation tubing every 4 hours or moistening gauze dressing every 6 to 8 hours, as necessary.
Cream: Apply to cleaned and debrided burn(s) once or twice daily, at a thickness of not more than 1/16 inch. The cream should be reapplied whenever it is removed to keep burn(s) covered at all times. Thin layers of dressings may be used, if necessary. Treatment should continue until healing is progressing well or the skin is ready for grafting.