Sulfa drugs

Definition

Sulfa drugs are a group of synthetic antibacterial medications that contain the sulfonamide group. They inhibit bacterial growth by interfering with folic acid synthesis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sulfa drugs were among the first antibiotics discovered and used widely before penicillin.
2. They work by inhibiting the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase, essential for bacterial folic acid production.
3. Common sulfa drugs include sulfamethoxazole and sulfadiazine.
4. Resistance to sulfa drugs can occur through mutations in the target enzyme or increased production of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).
5. Sulfa drugs are mainly used today for urinary tract infections, certain types of pneumonia, and some gastrointestinal infections.

Review Questions

• What mechanism do sulfa drugs use to inhibit bacterial growth?
• Name two common sulfa drugs.
• How can bacteria develop resistance to sulfa drugs?

Related terms

Penicillin: The first antibiotic discovered that works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis.

Folic Acid Synthesis: A metabolic pathway crucial for DNA synthesis in bacteria, targeted by sulfa drugs.

Antibiotic Resistance: The ability of bacteria to survive and proliferate despite the presence of an antibiotic.