Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

This medicine should not be given to infants younger than 2 months of age unless directed by your child's doctor. Sulfadiazine may cause serious unwanted effects in this age group.

Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Several additional glasses of water should be taken during the day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Drinking extra water will help to prevent some unwanted effects.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood or urine. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times during the day. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your doctor.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For treatment of infections:
      • Adults—2000 to 4000 milligrams (mg) per day, divided and given in 3 to 6 doses per day.
      • Children and infants 2 months of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 75 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day (mg/kg/day), divided and given in 4 to 6 doses per day. Your doctor may increase your dose to 150 mg/kg/day, but the total dose is usually not more than 6000 mg per day.
      • Infants younger than 2 months of age—Use is not recommended.
    • For prevention of rheumatic fever:
      • Adults and children 30 kilograms (kg) or more—1000 milligrams (mg) per day as a single dose.
      • Adults and children less than 30 kilograms (kg)—500 milligrams (mg) per day as a single dose.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.