Mafenide

(MA fe nide)

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to mafenide or any other part of this drug.
• Do not give this drug to an infant younger than 2 months of age.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat burns.

How does this drug work?

• Mafenide works to harm the bacteria and fight the infection.

How is this drug given?

• Your doctor may put on the skin.
• If using at home:
• Do not give by mouth. Use on your child's skin only. Keep out of your child's mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• Cream:
• Clean burn and take off dead skin at least once a day.
• Wear special gloves while putting this drug on.
• Put a thin layer on the affected part and rub in gently.
• Put on as you have been told, 1 or 2 times a day.
• Cover the burn parts with cream at all times.
• You may cover with a thin dressing if told to do so by your doctor.
• Powder:
• Mix powder with sterile water or sodium chloride until it melts.
• Put liquid on the gauze covering the burn.
• Put liquid on every 4 to 8 hours or as you have been told by your doctor to keep the gauze wet.

How long does this drug take to work?

• It may take a few days to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• If your child has lung disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has kidney disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has bleeding problems, talk with the doctor.
• Be careful if your child has G6PD deficiency. Anemia may happen.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Rash.
• Itching.
• Pain or burning where the drug was used.
• Anemia may rarely happen.
• Fungal infection (rarely).

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child has trouble breathing.
• If your child has bleeding problems.
• If your child has very bad skin irritation.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store powder packets and cream at room temperature.
• Liquid:
• Store liquid in a closed container.
• Throw away any part of the opened liquid container not used after 48 hours.
• Throw away any part of the unopened liquid container not used after 28 days.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.