Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 18, 2026

Sulfacetamide/sulfur

The drug combination sulfacetamide/sulfur is a topical acne medication manufactured by Medicis under the trade name Plexion and also available under other trade names such as Clenia, Prascion, and Avar. It combines sodium sulfacetamide, a sulfonamide antibiotic, and sulfur, a keratolytic agent. It is available in four formulations: as a cleansing cloth, cleanser, topical suspension, and as a facial mask. The sulfacetamide inhibits the growth of the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes that is associated with acne, while sulfur facilitates the removal of dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores.

Last revised
Jul 18, 2026
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Sulfacetamide/sulfur
Combination of
SulfacetamideSulfonamide antibacterial
Sulfur (pharmacy)Keratolytic
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.comMultum Consumer Information
License data
Routes of
administration		Topical
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
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The drug combination sulfacetamide/sulfur is a topical acne medication1 manufactured by Medicis under the trade name Plexion and also available under other trade names such as Clenia, Prascion, and Avar. It combines sodium sulfacetamide, a sulfonamide antibiotic, and sulfur, a keratolytic agent.2 It is available in four formulations: as a cleansing cloth, cleanser, topical suspension, and as a facial mask. The sulfacetamide inhibits the growth of the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes that is associated with acne, while sulfur facilitates the removal of dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores.3

In 2023, it was the 311th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 200,000 prescriptions.4

References

References

  1. Del Rosso JQ (January 2004). "Evaluating the role of topical therapies in the management of rosacea: focus on combination sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur formulations". Cutis. 73 (1 Suppl): 29–33. PMID 14959943.
  2. "Plexion (sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5%)". Medicis Inc. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  3. "Plexion Prescribing information" (PDF). Medicis. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2009. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  4. "Sulfacetamide; Sulfur Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2014 - 2023". ClinCalc. Retrieved 21 August 2025.