Sulfadiazine
Description
Sulfadiazine is an antibiotic used to treat susceptible infections caused by gram-negative and gram-positive bacterias, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus, Staphylococci, Nocardia, Streptococcus faecalis, E.coli, Klebsiella, Haemophilus influenzae, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella, Proteus species, etc. It is used for the prophylactic treatment of rheumatic fever and in combination with pyrimethamine to treat or prevent toxoplasmosis.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Sulfadiazine
- Severe sunburn
- Blurred vision
- Painful urination
- Cold sweats
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Pale skin
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
Uses of Sulfadiazine
What is it prescribed for?
- Prophylaxis for Rheumatic Fever
- Toxoplasmosis
- Susceptible infections
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to sulfadiazine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Severe renal impairment
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe renal impairment due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Severe liver impairment
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver impairment due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Porphyria
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of porphyria (a disorder that results from the accumulation of porphyrins in the body) due to an increase in the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Blood disorders
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with blood disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Megaloblastic or folate-deficiency anemia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with conditions like megaloblastic or folate deficiency anemia due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
G6PD deficiency
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with G6PD deficiency due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Hepatotoxicity
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver impairment.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in infants below 2 months of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Group A beta-hemolytic strep infections
This medicine is not recommended to be used for group A beta-hemolytic strep infections. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Hypersensitivity reactions
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with severe allergies, bronchial asthma, or AIDS due to the increased risk of severe hypersensitivity reactions. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Crystalluria
Use of this medicine may cause crystalluria due to the precipitation of this medicine in the urinary tract. This risk is especially higher in patients suffering from dehydration. Patients are advised to drink an adequate amount of water during treatment with this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Methotrexate
Clozapine
Ethinyl Estradiol
Warfarin
Diclofenac
Disease interactions
Gastrointestinal Diseases
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients having a history of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colitis, since it may worsen the patient's condition. Report any incidence of severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in stools, etc. to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with mild to moderate kidney impairment due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of kidney function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney impairment.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with mild to moderate liver impairment due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of liver function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver impairment.
Urinary retention
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with urinary retention, since it may worsen the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Complete the course of treatment to prevent the spread of the infection. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Sulfadiazine prevents the growth of the bacteria by inhibiting an enzyme necessary for folic acid synthesis.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antibiotics, Sulfonamides
Schedule
Schedule H
Sulfadiazine 500mg Tablets BP - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 21 September 2018]. Available from:
DailyMed - Sulfadiazine- sulfadiazine tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 21 September 2018]. Available from:
Sulfadiazine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 21 September 2018]. Available from:
Sulfadiazine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 11 March 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 11 Mar 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.