Sulfonamide

Derivative of sulfanilic acid.

A bacteriostatic drug, e.g. trimethoprim, used to treat bacterial infection, especially in the intestine and urinary system, but now less important due to increasing bacterial resistance.

Any of a large group of antibacterial drugs that act by halting the growth and reproduction of bacteria but do not kill the bacteria. Sulfonamides are used to treat bacterial urinary tract infections and certain other infections. Adverse effects include jaundice and blood abnormalities. Sulfonamides are not given in pregnancy, to young children, or to persons with impaired liver or kidney functions.

One of a group of drugs, derived from sulfanilamide (a red dye), that prevent the growth of bacteria (i.e. they are bacteriostatic). Sulfonamides are usually given by mouth and are effective against a variety of infections. Most of them, including sulfamethoxazole and sulfaphenazole, are rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine and should be taken at frequent intervals. Some, such as sulfadoxine (used for leprosy and malaria) and sulfametopyrazine, are long-acting and need be taken only once a day. Others, including sulfaguanidine, are poorly absorbed and are therefore used to treat infections of the gastrointestinal tract, such as bacillary dysentery and gastroenteritis. Prolonged use of these sulfonamides may lead to the development of resistant strains of microorganisms in the gut. Many sulfonamides are rapidly excreted and very soluble in the urine and are used to treat infections of the urinary tract; examples are sulfadimidine, sulfafurazole, and sulfamethizole.

Any of a group of compounds consisting of amides of sulfanilic acid derived from their parent compound sulfanilamide. They are characterized by the presence of a -S02NH2 moiety in their chemical structure.