Sulfa drug

Definition

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

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sulfa drugs work as competitive inhibitors of the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase, which is crucial in the bacterial folic acid pathway.
2. They are bacteriostatic, meaning they inhibit the growth and multiplication of bacteria rather than killing them directly.
3. Sulfa drugs were among the first antibiotics to be used systematically and paved the way for modern antibacterial treatments.
4. These drugs are less effective against bacteria that can obtain folic acid from their environment because their action depends on inhibiting endogenous folic acid synthesis.
5. Resistance to sulfa drugs can occur through mutations in the target enzyme or increased production of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which competes with sulfonamides.

Related terms

Folic Acid: A vitamin that is essential for DNA synthesis and repair.

Dihydropteroate Synthase:

An enzyme involved in the synthesis of folic acid in bacteria.

Bacteriostatic Agent: A substance that inhibits the growth or reproduction of bacteria.