Sulfamethoxazole

Sulfamethoxazole is an antibiotic that is used in combination with trimethoprim, a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, to treat or prevent a variety of bacterial infections. It belongs to the class of sulfonamide antibiotics and works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Medical uses[edit | edit source]

Sulfamethoxazole is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, bronchitis, and ear infections. It is also used to prevent Pneumocystis pneumonia in people with weakened immune systems.

Side effects[edit | edit source]

Common side effects of sulfamethoxazole include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and skin rash. More serious side effects may include anemia, allergic reactions, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Mechanism of action[edit | edit source]

Sulfamethoxazole works by inhibiting the synthesis of folic acid in bacteria, which is necessary for the production of DNA and proteins. It does this by competing with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) for the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase, thereby inhibiting the conversion of PABA to dihydrofolic acid.

History[edit | edit source]

Sulfamethoxazole was first synthesized in the 1960s and has since become a commonly used antibiotic for a variety of bacterial infections.

See also[edit | edit source]

Sulfamethoxazole Resources
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