Sulfonamide (Oral)

Class Name: sulfonamide (Oral route)

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Azulfidine
• Azulfidine Entabs
• Diamox Sequels
• Gantrisin Pediatric
• Sulfazine
• Sulfazine EC
• Truxazole
• Zonegran

In Canada

• alti-sulfaSALAzine
• Salazopyrin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Tablet, Enteric Coated
• Capsule
• Capsule, Extended Release

Uses for this Medicine

Sulfonamides or sulfa medicines are used to treat infections. They will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Sulfonamides are available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using this Medicine

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Sulfonamides should not be given to infants under 2 months of age unless directed by the child's doctor, because they may cause unwanted effects.

Geriatric

Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of sulfonamides. Severe skin problems and blood problems may be more likely to occur in the elderly. These problems may also be more likely to occur in patients who are taking diuretics (water pills) along with this medicine.

Pregnancy

Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However, studies in mice, rats, and rabbits have shown that some sulfonamides cause birth defects, including cleft palate and bone problems. Sulfonamides are not recommended for use at the time of labor and delivery. These medicines may cause unwanted effects in the baby.

Breast Feeding

Sulfonamides pass into the breast milk. This medicine is not recommended for use during breast-feeding. It may cause liver problems, anemia, and other unwanted effects in nursing babies, especially those with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Dofetilide
• Ketorolac
• Levomethadyl
• Methenamine

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acecainide
• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Acenocoumarol
• Ajmaline
• Amiodarone
• Amitriptyline
• Amoxapine
• Amoxicillin
• Amphetamine
• Amtolm...