Sulfacetamide — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies
Compare real Sulfacetamide prices at US and Canadian pharmacies, see official FDA uses and warnings, and find generic alternatives.
How much will sulfacetamide cost if I have health insurance?
Your out-of-pocket cost depends entirely on your individual insurance plan's formulary and copay structure. Some insurance plans cover sulfacetamide with a standard copay, while others may classify it differently or not cover it at all. Your pharmacist can provide your specific copay amount at the time of filling. If your copay seems high, you may want to ask whether using a prescription discount program could save you money instead.
What is the typical cost of sulfacetamide without health insurance?
Uninsured patients typically pay around $127.83 for sulfacetamide, though the actual amount depends on the specific formulation, strength, and quantity dispensed. Prices can differ significantly between pharmacies. Many patients find that using prescription discount programs or comparing prices across different retailers can substantially reduce their out-of-pocket expense.
Is sulfacetamide covered by Medicare, and what does it cost?
Sulfacetamide and its brand-name formulations are typically covered by Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Your actual cost will depend on your specific plan's design, including your deductible, copay tier, and whether you have reached the coverage gap. Contact your plan provider or pharmacist for your exact cost responsibility.
What brand names is sulfacetamide sold under?
Sulfacetamide is available as both a generic medication and under several brand names. Brand-name versions include Ovace Plus (manufactured by Mission Pharmacal), Sumaxin (by Medimetriks), and Klaron (by Bausch Health). When used as eye drops, it is also sold as Bleph 10. All require a prescription and are used to treat bacterial skin infections, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, and acne, as well as certain eye and ear infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
Sulfacetamide prices at US pharmacies
Sulfacetamide Sodium — solution (quantity in ml), 10%, qty 15
| Pharmacy | Retail price | With discount card |
|---|---|---|
| Kroger Pharmacy Lowest | $54.72 | $51.72 |
| Harris Teeter Pharmacy | $54.72 | $51.72 |
| Walmart Neighborhood Market | $58.89 | $55.89 |
| Walmart Pharmacy | $58.89 | $55.89 |
| Walgreens | $58.91 | $55.91 |
| Publix | $60.46 | $57.46 |
| Food Lion | $59.85 | — |
| Costco | $63.47 | — |
Sulfacetamide prices at Canadian pharmacies
| Strength | Pharmacy | Per pill (USD) | Pack total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default | BuyLowDrugs.com | $2.66 | $133.00 |
Canada prices are converted to USD at time of collection and shown per tablet where available. Ordering from Canadian pharmacies is legal for personal use in most cases but subject to FDA/CBSA rules — see US vs Canada, explained.
What is Sulfacetamide used for?
Sulfacetamide is one of the oldest antibacterial agents still in clinical use — a sulfonamide (chemically related to the sulfa antibiotics used systemically decades ago) formulated almost entirely for topical and ophthalmic use today. As a 10% ophthalmic solution (brand Bleph-10, generically "Sulf-10"), it treats bacterial conjunctivitis and other superficial eye infections; the same active ingredient is separately formulated into topical creams, foams, cleansers, and lotions (Klaron, Sumaxin, Ovace) for acne and seborrheic dermatitis, and into combination ear and eye drops paired with a corticosteroid for infections with significant inflammation.
Because it's a sulfonamide, sulfacetamide carries a real, if uncommon, risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome — a severe, blistering skin reaction — even with topical use, not just the oral sulfa drugs typically associated with this risk; the FDA label documents cases following topical sulfacetamide specifically, including at least one fatal case of drug-induced lupus. This is a meaningful distinction from most other topical antibiotics, whose serious systemic reactions are rare enough to barely register — sulfonamide hypersensitivity is common enough in the general population (a documented allergy affects a meaningful minority of patients) that a history of sulfa drug allergy is always worth mentioning before starting any sulfacetamide product, ophthalmic or dermatologic.
It's contraindicated in patients with kidney disease and shouldn't be combined with silver-containing preparations, which inactivate it. As with most topical antibiotics, it's meant for a defined treatment course rather than indefinite use, both to limit resistance and because efficacy for its dermatologic indications typically plateaus after several weeks.
Available forms
solution (quantity in ml)
Related & alternative drugs
Commonly used for
Warnings & interactions
This is a summary of the official FDA label text, not personalized medical advice. It does not list every possible interaction or side effect. Always tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine and supplement you take.
Common, usually mild
- Stinging, burning, or irritation at the application site
- Dryness or peeling (topical/dermatologic forms)
- Temporary blurred vision (eye drops)
Serious — seek care promptly
- Signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (widespread rash, blistering, flu-like symptoms)
- Signs of drug-induced lupus (joint pain, unexplained fatigue, rash)
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS: This product is contraindicated in persons with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the product. This product is not to be used by patients with kidney disease.
Warnings
WARNINGS: Sulfonamides are known to cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome in hypersensitive individuals. Stevens-Johnson syndrome also has been reported following the use of sodium sulfacetamide topically. Cases of drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus from topical sulfacetamide also have been reported. In one of these cases, there was a fatal outcome. KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATION OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
Notable drug interactions
| Drug / substance | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Silver-containing preparations | Physically incompatible; inactivates sulfacetamide |
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Pregnancy: Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with this product. It is also not known whether this product can affect reproduction capacity or cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. This product should be used by a pregnant woman only if clearly needed or when potential benefits outweigh potential hazards to the fetus.
Sulfacetamide, by the numbers
Additional public data points beyond retail pricing — useful context, not a price quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Sulfacetamide cost without insurance?
Is there a generic version of Sulfacetamide?
What drug class is Sulfacetamide in?
Learn more about Sulfacetamide
In-depth answers to common Sulfacetamide questions, fact-checked against the sources cited in each.
What is sulfacetamide used for?
Sulfacetamide is a prescription antibiotic that works by stopping bacterial growth when applied topically. It treats seborrheic dermatitis (an inflammatory skin condition with scaling), seborrheic sicca (dandruff), and acne caused by bacteria. As eye drops or ointment, sulfacetamide addresses bacterial eye infections including conjunctivitis (pink eye) and is also used with other medications for trachoma, an eye condition that can lead to vision loss if untreated. When combined with the steroid prednisolone, sulfacetamide is formulated as ear drops to treat bacterial infections of the outer and middle ear. The medication comes in multiple forms—topical cream, lotion, cleansing gel, foam, eye drops, eye ointment, and shampoo, though the shampoo formulation has not received FDA approval.
What side effects can sulfacetamide cause?
The most frequently reported side effects of sulfacetamide are localized—irritation, stinging, and burning at the application site. Allergic reactions are uncommon but can include rashes and blisters. Severe allergic reactions are extremely rare and include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, characterized by flu-like symptoms, painful rash, and blistering, and drug-induced lupus, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body cells. Any concerning symptoms should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.
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Prices last checked 2026-08-21. Reviewed against FDA and DailyMed official sources — see our review process. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Angelica Balingit, M.D., Internal Medicine