MAFENIDE ACETATE (mafenide acetate)

Drug overview for MAFENIDE ACETATE (mafenide acetate):

Generic name: mafenide acetate (MAF-en-ide AS-e-tate)
Drug class: Topical Sulfonamide Antimicrobials
Therapeutic class: Dermatological

Mafenide is a synthetic anti-infective agent that is closely related chemically, but not pharmacologically, to the sulfonamides.

Mafenide acetate cream is used as an adjunct in the treatment of second- and third-degree burns to prevent septicemia caused by susceptible organisms, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Treatment with mafenide acetate cream should begin after measures to control shock and pain have been instituted. Mafenide acetate cream has been shown to markedly reduce the incidence of sepsis in patients with second- and third-degree burns resulting in a decrease in the mortality rate of patients with burns covering 60% or less of the body surface.

Reduction in bacterial growth also may prevent conversion of partial thickness wounds to full thickness. Mafenide acetate cream containing 8.5% mafenide and wet dressings of 0.5%

silver nitrate appear to be of equal effectiveness for controlling burn wound sepsis; however, application of mafenide acetate cream has been reported to cause more pain than application of 0.5% silver nitrate solution.