Sulfa drug

Sulfa drug
One of the sulfonamides, the sulfa-related antibiotics which are used to treat bacterial and some fungal infections. The first sulfa drug was prontosil. It was discovered by the German physician and chemist Gerhard Domagk in 1935. The sulfa family of drugs includes sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole (brand name: Thiosulfil Forte), sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), and various high-strength combinations of three sulfonamides. Sulfa drugs kill bacteria and fungi by interfering with their metabolism. They were the "wonder drugs" before penicillin and are still used today. Because sulfa drugs concentrate in the urine before being excreted, treating urinary tract infections is one of their most common uses. Sulfa drugs can have a number of interactions with prescription and over-the-counter drugs (including PABA sunscreens), and are not appropriate for people with some health conditions.

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sulfa drug n any of various synthetic organic bacteria-inhibiting drugs that are sulfonamides closely related chemically to sulfanilamide called also sulfa

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • sulfa drug — Pharm. any of a group of drugs closely related in chemical structure to sulfanilamide, having a bacteriostatic rather than a bacteriocidal effect: used in the treatment of various wounds, burns, and infections. Also called sulfa. [1935 40] * * *… …   Universalium

  • sulfa drug — noun antibacterial consisting of any of several synthetic organic compounds capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria that require PABA • Syn: ↑sulfa, ↑sulpha, ↑sulfonamide • Hypernyms: ↑antibacterial, ↑antibacterial drug, ↑bactericide …   Useful english dictionary

  • sulfa drug — (Roget s IV) n. Varieties include: sulfathiazole, sulfanilamide, sulfapyridine, sulfadiazole, sulmefrin; see also drug 2 …   English dictionary for students

  • sulfa drug — sul′fa drug n. pha any of a group of drugs closely related in chemical structure to sulfanilamide, having a bacteriostatic effect: used in the treatment of various wounds, burns, and infections • Etymology: 1935–40 …   From formal English to slang

  • sulfa drug — noun Date: 1940 any of various synthetic organic bacteria inhibiting drugs that are sulfonamides derived especially from sulfanilamide …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • sulfa drug — noun Antibiotic drugs related to sulphonamide in chemical structure, tending to be bacteriostatic rather than bacteriocidal …   Wiktionary

  • sulfa drug — any of a group of synthetic organic compounds which inhibit bacterial growth …   English contemporary dictionary

  • sulfa drug — A type of antibiotic used to treat infection. Also called sulfonamide …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • Drug, sulfa — One of the sulfonamides, the sulfa related antibiotics which are used to treat bacterial and some fungal infections. The first sulfa drug was prontosil. It was discovered by the German physician and chemist Gerhard Domagk in 1935. The sulfa… …   Medical dictionary

  • drug — drug1 /drug/, n., v., drugged, drugging. n. 1. Pharm. a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well being. 2. (in federal law) a. any substance… …   Universalium

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