Mafenide (INN; usually as mafenide acetate, trade name Sulfamylon) is a sulfonamide-type medication used as an antibiotic. It was approved by the FDA in 1948.^{[citation needed]}

Mafenide is used to treat severe burns.^[1][2] It is used topically as an adjunctive therapy for second- and third-degree burns. It is bacteriostatic against many gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some sources state that mafenide is more appropriate for non-facial burns, while chloramphenicol/prednisolone or bacitracin are more appropriate for facial burns.^[3]

Mafenide works by reducing the bacterial population present in the avascular tissues of burns and permits spontaneous healing of deep partial-thickness burns. ^{[citation needed]}

Adverse reactions can include superinfection, pain or burning upon application, rash, pruritus, tachypnea, or hyperventilation. Mafenide is metabolized to a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, which could potentially result in metabolic acidosis.^[4]

There are no significant interactions.^{[citation needed]}

Mafenide is contraindicated in those with sulfonamide hypersensitivity or renal impairment.

For use as adjunctive therapy for second- and third-degree burns to prevent infection, adults and children should apply topically to a thickness of approximately 1.6 mm to cleaned and debrided wound once or twice per day with a sterile gloved hand. The burned area should be covered with cream at all times.^{[citation needed]}

• Mafenide information on RxList