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Questions and Answers
What is the primary mechanism of action of sulfonamides?
How are sulfonamides primarily metabolized in the body?
Which of the following is TRUE regarding the excretion of sulfonamides?
Which sulfonamide is typically used in combination with trimethoprim for its synergistic effect?
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What is the characteristic of sulfonamides in terms of their classification?
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Study Notes
Sulfonamides
- Synthetic bacteriostatic antibiotics
- Inhibit folic acid synthesis in bacteria, which is necessary for nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) synthesis
- Competitive inhibitors of the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase
- Prevent the conversion of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) into dihydrofolic acid
- Inhibit bacterial growth
Pharmacokinetics
- Well absorbed orally
- Can be administered topically or intravenously
- Distribute well into body fluids, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the placenta
- Bound variably to plasma proteins
- Metabolized by the liver via acetylation
- Excreted via the kidneys, partly unchanged in the urine
- Can crystallize in the urine, leading to crystalluria
Classification
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Short-acting:
- Example: Sulfadiazine, Sulfisoxazole
- Used for simple UTIs or in combination for more serious infections.
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Intermediate-acting:
- Example: Sulfamethoxazole
- Often combined with trimethoprim (e.g., in cotrimoxazole) for synergistic effect.
-
Long-acting:
- Example: Sulfadoxine
- Used in combination with pyrimethamine as an antimalarial agent.
-
Topical agents:
- Example: Silver sulfadiazine and sulfacetamide
- Silver sulfadiazine is used in treating burn wounds.
- Sulfacetamide is used in treating eye infections.
- Example: Silver sulfadiazine and sulfacetamide
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Description
This quiz examines the pharmacology of sulfonamides, synthetic bacteriostatic antibiotics that inhibit folic acid synthesis in bacteria. It covers their mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and classification into short-acting and intermediate-acting types. Test your knowledge of these important medications used to treat bacterial infections.
