Sulfonamides are a class of antibiotics Overview of Antibiotics Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. They are ineffective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill microorganisms or stop them from reproducing... read more that are effective against many gram-positive bacteria Overview of Gram-Positive Bacteria Gram-positive bacteria are classified by the color they turn after a chemical called Gram stain is applied to them. Gram-positive bacteria stain blue when this stain is applied to them. Other... read more and gram-negative bacteria Overview of Gram-Negative Bacteria Gram-negative bacteria are classified by the color they turn after a chemical process called Gram staining is used on them. Gram-negative bacteria stain red when this process is used. Other... read more . Some sulfonamides are applied directly to the skin (topically) to treat burns and skin, vaginal, and eye infections.
Sulfonamides include the following:
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Mafenide
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Sulfacetamide
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Sulfadiazine
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Sulfadoxine
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Sulfamethizole
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Sulfamethoxazole (in combination with trimethoprim) Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim is an antibiotic and is available as a single drug or in combination with sulfamethoxazole (a sulfonamide antibiotic). Trimethoprim and the combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole... read more
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Sulfanilamide
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Sulfasalazine
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Sulfisoxazole
Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is commonly used in combination with trimethoprim Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim is an antibiotic and is available as a single drug or in combination with sulfamethoxazole (a sulfonamide antibiotic). Trimethoprim and the combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole... read more (TMP). The combination is called TMP/SMX.
Sulfonamides work by preventing bacteria from producing a form of folic acid they need to grow and multiply.
(See also Overview of Antibiotics Overview of Antibiotics Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections. They are ineffective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill microorganisms or stop them from reproducing... read more .)
Use of Sulfonamides During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Sulfonamides should be used during pregnancy only when the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. However, they should not be used when the due date is near because, taken at that time, they may cause jaundice
Jaundice in the Newborn
Jaundice is a yellow color to the skin and/or eyes caused by an increase in bilirubin in the bloodstream. Bilirubin is a yellow substance formed when hemoglobin (the part of red blood cells...
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in the newborn, which may be severe enough to cause brain damage (kernicterus
Complications of jaundice
Jaundice is a yellow color to the skin and/or eyes caused by an increase in bilirubin in the bloodstream. Bilirubin is a yellow substance formed when hemoglobin (the part of red blood cells...
read more
) in the newborn. (See also Drug Use During Pregnancy
Drug Use During Pregnancy
More than 50% of pregnant women take prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs or use social drugs (such as tobacco and alcohol) or illicit drugs at some time during pregnancy...
read more
.)
Sulfonamides should not be taken during breastfeeding. (See also Drug Use During Breastfeeding Drug Use During Breastfeeding When mothers who are breastfeeding have to take a drug, they wonder whether they should stop breastfeeding. The answer depends on the following: How much of the drug passes into the milk Whether... read more .)
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
Sulfasalazine |
AZULFIDINE |
Sulfacetamide |
BLEPH-10 |
Sulfadiazine |
No US brand name |
warfarin |
COUMADIN |
Mafenide |
SULFAMYLON |
