Sulfonamides

• Sulfonamides bind to dihydropteroate synthetase, or DHPS, in the first step of folate synthesis and prevent the bacteria from making dihydropteroic acid.
•  sulfonamides include sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole, and sulfadiazine.
• sulfonamides can be given peroral or IV, and are metabolized by the liver
• sulfonamides are broad spectrum and can treat a variety of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, as well as chlamydia and nocardia species.
• sulfonamide side effects incude

  • hypersensitivity reaction
  • photosensitivity
  • nausea 
  • crystalluria and nephritis
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome 
  • hepatic necrosis
  • hemolytic anemia (people with G6PD deficiency)
  • jaundice