sulfa drug

Synthetic antibiotic type

A sulfa drug is an antibiotic derived from sulfanilamide, used to treat bacterial infections.

Sulfa drugs were the first widely effective antibiotics, introduced in the 1930s before penicillin became available.

They remain useful for urinary tract infections and some other conditions, though allergic reactions are common: She can't take sulfa drugs.

antibiotic

penicillin

Fungus-derived infection fighter

tetracyclineBroad-spectrum bacterial treatment
amoxicillinPenicillin-type bacteria killer
erythromycinMacrolide antimicrobial medication

bacteriostatic · antimicrobial · broad-spectrum · infection · resistant · susceptibility · sensitivity

medical

pneumonia

Infected, inflamed lung tissue

bronchitisInflamed airway disease
meningitisMembrane inflammation around brain
toxoplasmosisParasitic infection from cats

dermatitis · conjunctivitis · otitis · cellulitis · acne · prescription · prophylaxis · treatment · dosage · contraindication

history

1930s

Fourth decade, twentieth century

powderFine dry particles
chemotherapyAnti-cancer drug treatment
syntheticProduced artificially, not natural

discovery · pharmaceutical · revolution · mortality · military · FDA

mechanism

inhibitor

Agent that slows reactions

enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
bacterialOf or from germs
synthesisCombining parts into whole

pathway · competitive · folate · replication

Categories

Medicinespill, tablet, aspirin, tablets, penicillin
sulfur compoundsthiol, sulfate, sulfite, sulfide, sulfides

Opposites

origin/source

sulfa drugpenicillin

Fungus-derived infection fighter

streptomycin · erythromycin · tetracycline

mechanism of action

sulfa drugpenicillin

Fungus-derived infection fighter

vancomycin · cephalosporin

therapeutic function

sulfa drugpathogen

Disease-causing microorganism

infectious agent · immunosuppressant · bacteria · bacterium · probiotic

Family

sulfa, sulfa drugs

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G