Selenium Sulfide Coupons & Prices

Looking for a selenium sulfide coupon? Selenium sulfide is a topical antifungal and antiseborrheic agent, and a generic version of the prescription-strength 2.5% lotion is already on the market from manufacturers like Padagis. Even so, the price for the same generic fill can vary a lot from one pharmacy to the next, so it's worth comparing. Rx.com checks selenium sulfide pricing at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide, so enter your ZIP above to see today's price near you.

What Is Selenium Sulfide and How Does It Work?

Selenium sulfide is a topical antifungal / antiseborrheic agent. It's FDA-approved to treat tinea versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, and dandruff. It works through a cytostatic effect that slows down the turnover of skin and follicle cells, and it also has activity against the Malassezia (Pityrosporum) yeast that's implicated in dandruff and tinea versicolor.

Strength matters here. The 2.5% lotion is prescription-only in the U.S., sold generically (for example, by Padagis) and historically under the brand name Selsun. A lower 1% strength is sold over the counter for dandruff and an itchy, flaky scalp, marketed as Selsun Blue.

Selenium Sulfide Cost Without Insurance

A generic version of the 2.5% selenium sulfide lotion is already available, so there's no brand-only pricing barrier to work around. What does vary is the price different pharmacies charge for the same generic fill, sometimes quite a bit, which is why it's worth comparing before you pick a pharmacy. Enter your ZIP code above to see today's price at pharmacies near you.

If your provider has you using the 1% over-the-counter strength (Selsun Blue) instead for routine dandruff, that product doesn't require a prescription and is sold directly at retail and grocery pharmacies, so no coupon is needed for it.

Selenium Sulfide vs. Other Antifungal and Antiseborrheic Options

Selenium sulfide isn't the only topical option for fungal or scalp-related skin conditions, and your provider may consider alternatives depending on the diagnosis. Other topical antifungals used for related conditions include ketoconazole and ciclopirox shampoos or creams, which are also used for seborrheic dermatitis and tinea versicolor, as well as clotrimazole and terbinafine for other fungal skin infections.

If itching or inflammation from seborrheic dermatitis needs short-term symptomatic relief, a provider may also add a topical corticosteroid like hydrocortisone. Each of these works differently, so which one is right for you depends on your specific diagnosis, not just cost.

Selenium Sulfide Safety Information

Selenium sulfide is for external, topical use only. Avoid getting it in your eyes or on mucous membranes, since contact can cause irritation or a burning sensation, and don't apply it to skin that's acutely inflamed, broken, or oozing, which can increase how much is absorbed into the body. When it's used on the body for tinea versicolor, it may irritate the genital area and skin folds, so it's important to rinse thoroughly after the roughly 10-minute application the label describes.

Possible side effects include contact dermatitis and skin or scalp irritation, along with discoloration of hair, and it can also discolor jewelry such as gold. Selenium sulfide does not carry an FDA boxed warning and is not a controlled substance. This information isn't a substitute for medical advice; talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you.