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Selsun (Selenium Sulfide Topical): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

Selsun

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 3/6/2023

Drug Summary

What Is Selsun?

Selsun (selenium) is a topical (for the skin) antifungal medication used to treat dandruff, seborrhea, and tinea versicolor (a fungus that discolors the skin). Selsun is available in generic form.

What Are Side Effects of Selsun?

Selsun may cause serious side effects including:

unusual or severe blistering of the skin,

  • itchiness,
  • redness,
  • peeling skin,
  • dry skin,
  • irritation of treated skin

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Selsun include:

  • skin irritation,
  • dry skin,
  • oily or dry hair/scalp, or
  • temporary hair loss

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Selsun

To treat tinea versicolor: Apply the dose of Selsun to affected areas and lather with a small amount of water. Allow product to remain on skin for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat procedure once a day for 7 days. To treat seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff: Usually two applications each week for two weeks will afford control. After this, may be used at less frequent intervals weekly, every two weeks, or every 3 or 4 weeks in some cases.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Selsun?

Avoid using other topical medications at the same time you apply Selsun topical, unless your doctor approves. Other skin medications may affect the absorption or effectiveness of Selsun topical. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Selsun During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

If you are using Selsun on the body for tinea versicolor, this medication should be used during pregnancy only when prescribed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Though there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Selsun (selenium) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for Selsun

SELSUN (selenium) ®, a liquid antiseborrheic, antifungal preparation for topical application. Contains: Selenium sulfide 2 1 [sol ] 2 % w/v in aqueous suspension; also contains: bentonite, lauric diethanolamide, ethylene glycol monostearate, titanium dioxide, amphoteric-2, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium phosphate (monobasic), glyceryl monoricinoleate, citric acid, captan and perfume.

Uses for Selsun

Treatment of tinea versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis of scalp and treatment of dandruff.

Dosage for Selsun

See application instructions.

Treatment of tinea versicolor:   Apply to affected areas and lather with a small amount of water. Allow product to remain on skin for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat procedure once a day for 7 days.

Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff:   Usually two applications each week for two weeks will afford control. After this, may be used at less frequent intervals weekly, every two weeks, or every 3 or 4 weeks in some cases. Should not be applied more frequently than required to maintain control.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:   Keep tightly capped.

Shake well before using. Product may damage jewelry; remove jewelry before use.

For treatment of tinea versicolor:

  1. Apply to affected areas and lather with a small amount of water.
  2. Allow to remain on skin for 10 minutes.
  3. Rinse body thoroughly.
  4. Repeat this procedure once a day for 7 days.

For treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp:

  1. Massage about 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls of shampoo into wet scalp.
  2. Allow to remain on scalp for 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Rinse scalp thoroughly.
  4. Repeat application and rinse thoroughly.
  5. After treatment, wash hands well.
  6. Repeat treatments as directed by physician.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

For External Use Only. Do not use on broken skin or inflamed areas. If allergic reactions occur, discontinue use. Avoid getting shampoo in eyes or in contact with genital area and skin folds as it may cause irritation and burning. These areas should be thoroughly rinsed after application. Keep this and all medicines out of reach of children.

Store below 86°F (30°C).

HOW SUPPLIED

4-fl-oz bottles (NDC 0074-2660-04).

Side Effects for Selsun

In decreasing order of severity: skin irritation; occasional reports of increase in normal hair loss; discoloration of hair (can be avoided or minimized by thorough rinsing of hair after treatment). As with other shampoos, oiliness or dryness of hair and scalp may occur.

Drug Interactions for Selsun

No Information Provided.

Warnings for Selsun

No Information Provided.

Precautions for Selsun

General: Not to be used when inflammation or exudation is present as increased absorption may occur.

Information for Patients:   See Warnings and Precautions section under Application Instructions.

Carcinogenesis:   Dermal application of 25% and 50% solutions of 2.5% selenium sulfide lotion on mice over an 88-week period indicated no carcinogenic effects.

Pregnancy:   WHEN USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF TINEA VERSICOLOR, SELSUN (selenium) IS CLASSIFIED AS PREGNANCY CATEGORY C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with SELSUN (selenium) . It is also not known whether SELSUN (selenium) can cause fetal harm when applied to body surfaces of a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Under ordinary circumstances SELSUN (selenium) should not be used for the treatment of tinea versicolor in pregnant women.

Pediatric Use:   Safety and effectiveness in infants have not been established.

Overdose Information for Selsun

Accidental Oral Ingestion:

No documented reports of serious toxicity in humans resulting from acute ingestion of SELSUN (selenium) , however, acute toxicity studies in animals suggest that ingestion of large amounts could result in potential human toxicity. Evacuation of the stomach contents should be considered in cases of acute oral ingestion.

Contraindications for Selsun

Not to be used by patients allergic to ingredients.

Clinical Pharmacology for Selsun

Selenium sulfide appears to have a cytostatic effect on cells of the epidermis and follicular epithelium, reducing corneocyte production.

Patient Information for Selsun

See Warnings and Precautions section under Application Instructions.

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You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.