Selenium Sulfide is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.
- Type
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Taken
- Topical
- Label
- KMM Pharmaceuticals, LLC, revised December 18, 2025 · full label on DailyMed
- Generic
- FDA-approved (1 company) · details
What it is used for
INDICATIONS: This product is a liquid antiseborrheic, antifungal preparation useful for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, dandruff and tinea versicolor. Urea hydrates and is useful for conditions such as dry scalp.
Who should not take it (contraindications)
This product is contraindicated in persons with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the product.
Warnings
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
Precautions
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR OPHTHALMIC USE. General: This product is to be used as directed by a physician and should not be used to treat any condition other than that for which it was prescribed. If redness or irritation occurs, discontinue use and consult a physician. Information for Patients: Patients should discontinue the use of this product if the condition becomes worse or if a rash develops in the area being treated or elsewhere. Avoid contact with eyes, lips and mucous membranes. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis and Impairment of Fertility: Dermal application of 25% and 50% solutions of 2.5% selenium sulfide lotion on mice over an 88-week period indicated no carcinogenic effects. Studies on reproduction and fertility also have not been performed. 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. Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when this product is administered to a nursing woman. Pediatric use: Safety and effectiveness in children under the age of 12 years have not been established.
Side effects (adverse reactions)
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.
Is there a generic Selenium Sulfide?
Yes. The FDA has approved generic Selenium Sulfide from 1 company, and the approval is active. The earliest of these was approved in 1991.
An FDA approval does not always mean the generic is already in pharmacies: patent disputes and settlements can delay a launch for years. Your pharmacist can tell you whether a generic is actually available and covered by your plan.
The FDA rates these generics as therapeutically equivalent to the brand ("A" rating): same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect. Pharmacists can usually substitute them unless the prescriber says otherwise.
Companies with an approved generic
Padagis Us
Brand-name versions
- Selsun Chattem, approved 1951 Discontinued
Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.
Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.
Selenium sulfide in the news
We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news
Recalls
No recalls matched to this medicine in FDA enforcement reports from the last 3 years (or older ones still open). Search all recalls
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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID d9165c56-4c78-8d5a-e053-2995a90a6b2e.