It is bacteriostatic against many gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

[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.

[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.