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SULPHONAMIDES
Antibacterial compounds containing SO2NH2 (sulphanilamide) group in their side chain are called as
sulphonamide.

Classification
1. used for treating systemic infections
• short acting sulphonamides
Ex: sulphadaizine, suphafurazole, sulphadimidine
• intermediate acting sulphonamides
Ex: Sulphamethoxazole, sulphaphenazole
• long acting sulphonamides
Ex: sulphamethoxy pyridazine, sulphadimethoxine
2. used for gastrointestinal Succinyl sulphathiazole
Ex: sulphaguanidine, succinly sulphathiazole.

Pharmacological actions
Antibacterial activity: they are effective against variety of gram positive and gram negative organism such as
streptococci, gonococci, staphylococci, meningococci, clostridium, E.coli, bacillus anthrus.

Mechanism of action
Sulphonamide had structural similarly to PABA. Folic acid derived from PABA is important in bacterial
nucleoside formation.
Sulphonamide inhibits the enzyme folic acid synthetase, which is useful for the conversion of PABA to folic
acid. This cause deficiency of folic acid resulting in injury to the bacterial cell wall.

Adverse effect
Intolerance, skin rashes, dermatitis, toxic hepatitis, toxic nephrititis, renal irritation, aplastic anemia.

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