sulfanilamide

Sulfanilamide is a synthetic sulfonamide antibacterial drug and one of the earliest antibiotics developed. It acts as a competitive inhibitor of the bacterial enzyme dihydropteroate synthase, blocking the use of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) in folic acid synthesis. This inhibition prevents bacteria from synthesizing folic acid, which is essential for their growth and replication. Sulfanilamide was historically significant in reducing infection-related mortality during World War II but is now rarely used systemically due to toxicity and the availability of more effective alternatives. Today, it is primarily used topically or intravaginally for infections such as vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by Candida albicans[1][2][4].

Brand names

AVC

Other names

p-amino-benzenesulfonamidesulphanilamide