On this page · 9 sections
- What is selenium sulfide topical?
- How should I use selenium sulfide topical?
- Warnings
- Before taking this medicine
- Selenium sulfide topical side effects
- Selenium sulfide topical dosing information
- What happens if I miss a dose?
- What happens if I overdose?
- What other drugs will affect selenium sulfide topical?
Selenium sulfide topical
Generic name: selenium sulfide topical
Brand names: Dandrex, Selsun Blue 2 in 1, Selsun Blue Balanced Treatment, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment, Selsun Blue Moisturizing Treatment, SelRx, Tersi Foam, Selsun, Exsel, Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment, Sel-Pen Blue, Selsun Blue, Dandruff Control, Glo-Sel, Selseb, Selenos
What is selenium sulfide topical?
Selenium sulfide is a medicine that fights fungus. It stops fungus from growing on your skin.
Selenium sulfide topical (for the skin) is used to treat dandruff, seborrhea, and tinea versicolor (a fungus that changes the color of the skin).
Selenium sulfide topical might also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
How should I use selenium sulfide topical?
Use this medicine exactly as instructed on the label or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not use more than recommended or for a longer time than advised.
Shake the selenium sulfide foam, lotion, or shampoo well just before each use.
Wash your hands after using the foam or lotion.
Rinse the shampoo thoroughly. Do not leave it in your hair for a long time. Selenium sulfide topical shampoo is usually not meant for daily use. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions.
Use this medication for the entire prescribed duration. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is fully gone.
Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen while using selenium sulfide topical.
Do not cover the treated skin with a bandage or dressing unless your doctor has instructed you to. A light cotton-gauze bandage may be used to protect your clothing.
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the foam canister away from open flames, and do not puncture the can.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Warnings
Follow all instructions on your medicine label and package. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you are taking.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use selenium sulfide topical if you are allergic to selenium sulfide.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether selenium sulfide topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether selenium sulfide topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Selenium sulfide topical should not be used on a child younger than 2 years old without a doctor's advice.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Selenium sulfide topical side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using selenium sulfide and call your doctor if you have unusual or severe blistering, itching, redness, peeling, dryness, or irritation of treated skin.
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Selenium sulfide topical dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Seborrheic Dermatitis:
Selenium sulfide topical 2.25% shampoo:Use twice weekly until symptoms are controlled. Then weekly, every 2 weeks, every 3 to 4 weeks. Do not use more frequently than needed to control symptoms.Selenium sulfide topical 1.00% shampoo:Shake well. Shampoo and rinse thoroughly. For best results, use regularly at least twice a week or as directed by a doctor.Selenium sulfide foam:Apply to affected area twice a day.Selenium sulfide foam should be rubbed into the skin until it is completely absorbed.Shake well and invert to administer.
Usual Adult Dose for Tinea Versicolor:
Selenium sulfide topical 2.25% shampoo:Apply to affected areas and lather with a small amount of water. Allow the product to stay on the skin for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat this procedure once a day for 7 days or as directed by a physician.Selenium sulfide foam:Apply to affected area twice a day.Selenium sulfide foam should be rubbed into the skin until it is completely absorbed.Shake well and invert to administer.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not apply extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of selenium sulfide topical is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.
Avoid getting selenium sulfide topical in your eyes, nose, mouth, rectum, or vagina. If it does get into any of these areas, rinse with water. Do not use selenium sulfide topical on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or broken skin.
Avoid covering treated skin areas with tight-fitting, synthetic clothing that doesn't allow air to circulate. Wear loose-fitting clothing made of cotton and other natural fibers until your infection is healed.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
What other drugs will affect selenium sulfide topical?
Avoid using other topical medications at the same time you apply selenium sulfide topical, unless your doctor approves. Other skin medications may change how well selenium sulfide topical works or how much your skin absorbs.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Related medicines
Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.