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Drug Effects: Sulphonamide by Huw Christie Note: The information on this website is presented for
educational purposes and This document was provided by In 1935 it was found that a product called suphanilamide from the red dye prontosil rubra proteced mice from streptococcal infection. Hundreds of similar drugs have now been produced and tested for anti-bacterial activity. They belong to the sulphonamide group.
These drugs stop bacteria multiplying by interfering with the use of folic acid in the bacterial cells. Sulphonamides were prescribed extensively by doctors which led to the appearance of resistant bacteria and a high incidence of harmful effects, yet to be fully understood. As penicillin and other antibiotics were introduced, the popularity of the sulphonamides decreased and their use was limited to the treatment of certain disorders such as infections of the urinary tract. More recently they returned as a common prescription in the form of SEPTRIN (BACTRIM) and CO-TRIMOXAZOLE for people with "HIV" diagnoses.
Harmful effects of sulphonamides are relatively common, and vary according to the particular drug used and the susceptibility of the individual. People who break down certain drugs slowly in their livers may be more at risk. Generally, harmful effects are related to the length of treatment and not always the dose. Reported harmful effects include:
Allergic reactions and skin rashes serious skin rashes, conjunctivitis, sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, nettle rash, itching; drug fever and chills, severe allergic reactions; serum sickness-like symptoms (fever, swollen glands, painful joints); bruising and bleeding into the skin (purpura); inflammation of arteries (periarteritis nodosa); systemic lupus erythematosus (an immune disorder producing inflammation of the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, nerves and joints); severe dermatitis; and a skin rash with conjunctivitis and ulcers of the eyes, mouth and urethra (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
Blood disorders damage to the bone marrow and thus effects on red blood cell production, causing anemia, and white blood cell production causing reduced resistance to infection. They may damage red blood cells directly, causing hemolytic anemia, and interfere with the body’s use of folic acid, producing folic acid deficiency anemia. NOTE sulphonamides may, rarely, knock out red cell and/or white cell production completely.
Mouth, stomach and intestinal disorders sore gums, sore tongue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains, diarrhea, colitis.
Kidney disorders causing crystals in the urine and severe kidney damage, leading to kidney failure.
Liver disorders hepatitis and jaundice.
Disorders of the brain and nerves headache, drowsiness, dizziness, noises in the ears (tinnitus), vertigo, numbness and pins and needles in the arms and legs, incoordination of movements (ataxia), convulsions and meningitis.
Mental disorders hallucinations, depression, apathy and nervousness.
Other harmful effects include painful joints, painful muscles, weakness, fatigue, insomnia, bad dreams and confusion. Individuals who accept long-term treatment with sulphonamides should have regular blood tests to check their white and red cell counts and to check for other blood disorders. Anyone taking sulphonamides should drink plenty of fluids in order to prevent crystals forming in the urine. Sulphonamides should be given with caution to people with severe allergies or asthma, and with great caution to people who are deficient in folic acid or who are sensitive to sunlight. Because of bacterial resistance and the availability of more effective and less harmful antibiotics, suplhonamides until AIDS were no longer used to treat or prevent infections of the throat and chest, bacillary dysentery and meningococcal meningitis. Although the use of sulphonamide drugs alone has gone out of general fashion the combination of a sulphonamide drug (sulphamethoxazole) with trimethoprim is in fashion. This combination, known as co-trimoxazole, is widely used even outside AIDS medicine, and it is important to be aware that it contains a sulphonamide and that all the warnings on the use of sulphonamides also apply to cotrimoxazole.
Source Medical Treatments, The Benefits and Risks. Peter Parish, Penguin 1991 For advice and information on Septrin contact The Septrin Action Group at P.O. Box 16, Wigan, WN6 9QZ, UK. |