Selenium Sulfide

Drug overview for SELENIUM SULFIDE (selenium sulfide):

Generic name: SELENIUM SULFIDE (se-LEE-nee-um SUL-fide)
Drug class:
Therapeutic class: Dermatological

Selenium sulfide is an anti-infective agent with cytostatic and antiseborrheic properties.

A 1% lotion of selenium sulfide is used to relieve the itching and flaking of the scalp associated with dandruff. A 1% shampoo or 2.5% lotion of the drug is used for the control of dandruff and of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp.

Dandruff usually responds to treatment, but tends to relapse if therapy is discontinued. If dandruff is left untreated, the resulting problems are those of appearance, and generally no medical disability will result. A 2.5% lotion of selenium sulfide has also been used for the treatment of tinea versicolor.

DRUG IMAGES

SELENIUM SULFIDE 2.5% LOTION

The following indications for SELENIUM SULFIDE (selenium sulfide) have been approved by the FDA:

Indications:
Dandruff
Seborrheic dermatitis
Tinea versicolor

Professional Synonyms:
Branny tetter
Dermatitis seborrheica
Dyssebacea
Dyssebacia
Pityriasis capitis
Pityriasis sicca
Pityriasis simplex
Pityriasis versicolor
Scurf
Seborrhea corporis
Seborrhea furfuracea
Seborrhea sicca
Seborrheic eczema
Tinea furfuracea
Unna's disease

The following dosing information is available for SELENIUM SULFIDE (selenium sulfide):

Dosing
Administration
SELENIUM SULFIDE
SELENIUM SULFIDE

For the control of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, 5-10 mL of the 2.5% selenium sulfide lotion is massaged into the wet scalp. The lotion should be allowed to remain on the scalp for 2-3 minutes following application.

The scalp should then be rinsed thoroughly and application of the lotion and rinsing repeated. Initially, the lotion is usually applied as a shampoo twice weekly for 2 weeks. Subsequently, the frequency of application should be determined by response of the condition; for maintenance therapy, the 2.5%

lotion is usually applied once every 1 or 2 weeks, or as infrequently as every 3 or 4 weeks in some patients.

A 1% lotion or shampoo of selenium sulfide is available over-the-counter for self-administration in the control of dandruff and/or dermatitis. For self-administration in the control of dandruff and/or dermatitis, a small amount of the 1% lotion or shampoo is massaged vigorously into the wet scalp. The scalp should then be rinsed thoroughly; application of the lotion and rinsing should be repeated.

When used before or after bleaching, tinting, or permanent waving of the hair, the hair should be rinsed with cool water for at least 5 minutes following application of selenium sulfide lotion or shampoo. (See Cautions: Adverse Effects.) The 1% lotion or shampoo is usually applied once or twice weekly or as otherwise directed by a clinician. For maximum control, the shampoo should be used every time the patient usually shampoos their hair and scalp.

For the treatment of tinea versicolor, the 2.5% selenium sulfide lotion is applied topically to the affected areas of the skin; a small amount of water should be applied concurrently to form a lather. The lotion should be allowed to remain on the skin for 10 minutes following application; the skin should then be rinsed thoroughly.

Application of the 2.5% lotion should be repeated once daily for 7 days.

Selenium sulfide shampoo is applied topically to the hair and scalp. Selenium sulfide lotion is applied topically to the scalp as a shampoo or to the skin. The lotions and shampoo are intended for external use only.

Patients should be directed to wash their hands thoroughly following use of the lotion. Patients should be advised to remove all jewelry before using the lotion, since selenium sulfide may damage it. Contact with the eyes should be avoided; if contact occurs, the affected eye(s) should be rinsed thoroughly with water.

Dosing information for SELENIUM SULFIDE
DRUG LABEL	DOSING TYPE	DOSING INSTRUCTIONS
SELENIUM SULFIDE 2.5% LOTION	Maintenance	Adults apply to wet scalp by topical route once weekly work into a full lather, leave on scalp for 2-3 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and then pat dry

Generic dosing information for SELENIUM SULFIDE
DRUG LABEL	DOSING TYPE	DOSING INSTRUCTIONS
SELENIUM SULFIDE 2.5% LOTION	Maintenance	Adults apply to wet scalp by topical route once weekly work into a full lather, leave on scalp for 2-3 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and then pat dry

Moderate List
No disease contraindications

The following adverse reaction information is available for SELENIUM SULFIDE (selenium sulfide):

Overview
Severe
Less Severe

Adverse reaction overview.

No enhanced Common Adverse Effects information available for this drug.

There are 1 severe adverse reactions.

More Frequent	Less Frequent
None.	None.

Rare/Very Rare
Skin irritation

There are 2 less severe adverse reactions.

More Frequent	Less Frequent
Dry skin	Alopecia

Rare/Very Rare
None.

The following precautions are available for SELENIUM SULFIDE (selenium sulfide):

Pediatric
Pregnant
Lactation
Geriatric

No enhanced Pediatric Use information available for this drug.

Contraindicated

None

Severe Precaution

None

Management or Monitoring Precaution

None

Animal reproduction studies have not been performed with selenium sulfide. It is also not known whether selenium sulfide can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Selenium sulfide should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed and should generally not be used for the treatment of tinea versicolor during pregnancy.

No enhanced Lactation information available for this drug.

No enhanced Geriatric Use information available for this drug.

Dandruff
L21.0	Seborrhea capitis
Seborrheic dermatitis
L21	Seborrheic dermatitis
L21.0	Seborrhea capitis
L21.1	Seborrheic infantile dermatitis
L21.8	Other seborrheic dermatitis
L21.9	Seborrheic dermatitis, unspecified
Tinea versicolor
B36.0	Pityriasis versicolor