Elixir sulfanilamide

Elixir Sulfanilamide is a medication that was introduced in the 1930s. It was a solution of sulfanilamide, an early antibiotic, in diethylene glycol. Unfortunately, the use of diethylene glycol as a solvent resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people, leading to significant changes in drug regulation in the United States.

History

Elixir Sulfanilamide was introduced by the S.E. Massengill Company in 1937. The company used diethylene glycol as a solvent without realizing that it was toxic. The resulting product was a sweet-tasting, raspberry-flavored liquid that was marketed as a treatment for various infections.

The product was distributed widely and quickly led to a public health crisis. More than 100 people, many of them children, died after taking the medication. The incident led to widespread public outrage and significant changes in drug regulation in the United States.

Impact on Drug Regulation

The Elixir Sulfanilamide incident was a major factor in the passage of the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which significantly expanded the powers of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new law required companies to perform safety testing on their products before they could be marketed. It also required that drugs be labeled with accurate information about their contents and dosage instructions.

See Also

• Sulfanilamide
• Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• Food and Drug Administration

References

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