Sulfonamide

Sulfonamide (also known as sulfa drugs) is a group of antibiotics that are derived from sulfanilamide, a compound in the sulfonamides family. They were the first systemic antibiotics to be used and have been in use since the 1930s.

History

Sulfonamides were discovered by German chemist and pathologist Gerhard Domagk in 1932. Domagk was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1939 for this discovery, which marked the beginning of the antibiotic era.

Mechanism of Action

Sulfonamides work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria by preventing the synthesis of folic acid, a nutrient that bacteria need to grow and multiply. They do this by acting as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase, which is involved in the production of folic acid in bacteria.

Uses

Sulfonamides are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, bronchitis, and prostatitis. They are also used in the treatment of malaria in combination with other drugs.

Side Effects

Like all antibiotics, sulfonamides can cause side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In rare cases, they can cause serious skin reactions, anemia, and kidney damage.

Resistance

Over time, many strains of bacteria have developed resistance to sulfonamides, limiting their effectiveness. This has led to the development of newer antibiotics that are less susceptible to resistance.

See Also

• Antibiotic resistance
• Bacterial infection
• Gerhard Domagk