In the U.S.—

In Canada—

• Antiacne agent, topical
• Antirosacea agent, topical
• Antiseborrheic
• Keratolytic, topical
• Scabicide

Sulfur (SUL-fur) is used to treat many kinds of skin disorders. Sulfur cream, lotion, ointment, and bar soap are used to treat acne. Sulfur ointment is used to treat seborrheic dermatitis and scabies. Sulfur may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription. Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of sulfur for your medical condition.

Sulfur is available in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Cream (U.S. and Canada)
• Lotion (U.S.)
• Ointment (U.S.)
• Bar soap (U.S. and Canada)

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For topical sulfur preparations, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sulfur. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Topical sulfur has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—Topical sulfur has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Although there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. Although there is no specific information comparing use of sulfur in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use it more often and do not use it for a longer period of time than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes. If you should accidentally get some in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water.

To use the cream or lotion form of this medicine:

• Before applying the medicine, wash the affected areas with soap and water and dry thoroughly. Then apply enough medicine to cover the affected areas and rub in gently.

To use the ointment form of this medicine for seborrheic dermatitis:

• Before applying the medicine, wash the affected areas with soap and water and dry thoroughly. Then apply enough medicine to cover the affected areas and rub in gently.

To use the ointment form of this medicine for scabies:

• Before applying the medicine, wash your entire body with soap and water and dry thoroughly.
• At bedtime, apply enough medicine to cover your entire body from the neck down and rub in gently. Leave the medicine on your body for 24 hours.
• Before applying the medicine again, you may wash your entire body.
• 24 hours after the last treatment with this medicine, it is important that you thoroughly wash your entire body again.

To use the soap form of this medicine:

• Work up a rich lather with the soap, using warm water. Wash the affected areas and rinse thoroughly. Apply again, and rub in gently for a few minutes. Remove excess lather with a towel or tissue without rinsing.

Dosing—

The dose of topical sulfur 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 topical sulfur. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For acne:
  • For cream and bar soap dosage forms:
    • Adults and children—Use on the skin as needed.
  • For lotion dosage form:
    • Adults and children—Use two or three times a day.
  • For ointment dosage form:
    • Adults and children—Use the 0.5% ointment on the skin as needed.
• For seborrheic dermatitis:
  • For ointment dosage form:
    • Adults and children—Use the 5 to 10% ointment one or two times a day.
• For scabies:
  • For ointment dosage form:
    • Adults and children—Use the 6% ointment each night for three nights.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use 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.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the cream, lotion, and ointment forms of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

When using sulfur, do not use any of the following preparations on the same affected area as this medicine, unless otherwise directed by your doctor:

• Abrasive soaps or cleansers
• Alcohol-containing preparations
• Any other topical acne preparation or preparation containing a peeling agent (for example, benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or tretinoin [vitamin A acid])
• Cosmetics or soaps that dry the skin
• Medicated cosmetics
• Other topical medicine for the skin

To use any of the above preparations on the same affected area as sulfur may cause severe irritation of the skin.

Do not use any topical mercury-containing preparation, such as ammoniated mercury ointment, on the same area as this medicine. To do so may cause a foul odor, may be irritating to the skin, and may stain the skin black. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if the following side effect occurs:

• Skin irritation not present before use of this medicine 

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. However, check with your health care professional if the following side effect continues or is bothersome:

• Redness and peeling of skin (may occur after a few days) 

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.