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

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

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

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

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

See also

• Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
• Sulfonamide (medicine)

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Sulfamethoxazole

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  Sulfamethoxazole skeletal structure
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  3D structure of Sulfamethoxazole from crystal data
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  Tetrahydrofolate synthesis pathway