Questions and Answers
What is a common name for sulfonamides?
Sulfonamides are ___ agents.
antibacterial
Are sulfa drugs bacteriostatic?
True
What is the action of sulfonamides on bacteria?
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Are sulfa drugs well absorbed by the GI system?
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How are sulfa drugs excreted from the body?
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Are sulfonamides used to treat infections caused by gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria?
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What are some bacteria that sulfonamides are effective against?
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Sulfa drugs are used to treat...
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Which two sulfonamides should be administered at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal?
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Which two sulfonamides are topical drugs used in the treatment and prevention of infections in second and third degree burns?
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What are some adverse reactions to sulfa drugs?
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What is the most frequent adverse reaction seen with the topical application of a sulfonamide?
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Prolonged sulfonamide therapy can cause what three hematologic changes?
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Sulfa drugs are contraindicated in children younger than ___ years old.
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Sulfa drugs are used with caution in patients with...
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What is the effect of interaction between sulfonamides and oral anticoagulants (blood thinner)?
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What is the effect of interaction between sulfonamides and methotrexate (an immunosuppressant)?
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What is the effect of interaction between sulfonamides and hydantoins (an anticonvulsant)?
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Why are diabetic patients that take sulfonamides assessed for a hypoglycemic reaction?
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Sulfonamides are contraindicated in patients with...
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Which sulfa drug may cause the urine and skin to take on an orange-yellow color?
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How is crystalluria with sulfonamide therapy usually prevented?
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The patient should be instructed to drink ___ large glasses of water a day until sulfonamide therapy is finished.
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How should the patient be instructed to take an oral sulfonamide?
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Why should the skin and mucous membranes be inspected for up to 14 days after the end of sulfonamide therapy?
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Why should a patient using soft contact lenses see an ophthalmologist about disposable lenses while taking sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)?
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What is the trade name of sulfasalazine?
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What is the trade name of trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole?
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What is the trade name of mafenide?
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What is the trade name of silver sulfadiazine?
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Which sulfonamide is abbreviated TMP?
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Study Notes
Sulfonamides Overview
- Commonly known as sulfa drugs, sulfonamides are a class of antibacterial agents.
- Primarily exhibit bacteriostatic activity, inhibiting bacterial growth rather than killing bacteria directly.
Mechanism of Action
- Sulfonamides inhibit the activity of folic acid in bacterial cell metabolism, crucial for their growth and reproduction.
Pharmacokinetics
- Well absorbed in the gastrointestinal (GI) system and excreted by the kidneys.
Spectrum of Activity
- Effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
- Specific bacteria targeted include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter species.
Clinical Uses
- Commonly used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), acute otitis media, ulcerative colitis, and manage second and third-degree burns.
Administration Guidelines
- Some sulfonamides, such as sulfisoxazole and sulfadiazine, should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after meals.
- Topical agents like mafenide (Sulfamylon) and silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) are specifically used for burn treatment.
Adverse Reactions
- Reactions may include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and severe conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).
- Topically applied sulfonamides can cause burning sensations on the skin.
Hematologic Risks
- Prolonged use can lead to leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and aplastic anemia.
Special Precautions
- Contraindicated in children younger than 2 years and used with caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment or bronchial asthma.
- Patients with hypersensitivity to sulfonamides or nursing mothers should avoid these medications.
Drug Interactions
- Sulfonamides can enhance the effect of oral anticoagulants, increase bone marrow suppression with methotrexate, and raise serum hydantoin levels when combined with hydantoins.
- Diabetic patients on sulfonamides require monitoring for hypoglycemic reactions due to potential inhibition of oral hypoglycemic metabolism.
Side Effects and Management
- Urine and skin may turn orange-yellow with sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).
- Prevention of crystalluria involves increasing fluid intake, with an advised consumption of eight large glasses of water daily during therapy.
Patient Education
- Sulfonamides should be taken with a full glass of water to maximize absorption.
- Post-therapy monitoring for photosensitivity reactions is necessary for up to 14 days.
- Patients using soft contact lenses should consult an ophthalmologist regarding potential staining from sulfasalazine.
Trade Names
- Sulfasalazine: Azulfidine, Azulfidine EN-tabs.
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole: Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS.
- Mafenide: Sulfamylon.
- Silver sulfadiazine: Silvadene, Thermazene, SSD.
- Trimethoprim: TMP.
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Test your knowledge of sulfonamides with these flashcards. This quiz covers definitions and functions of sulfa drugs, including their classification and mechanism of action. Perfect for students studying pharmacology or medicine.