Sulphadiazine is an antibiotic drug developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration and initially approved for treating bacterial infections.

Sulphadiazine is used to treat various bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, and certain types of pneumonia caused by susceptible bacteria. It mainly inhibits the synthesis of folic acid in bacteria, disrupting their ability to grow and multiply. 

Take the Sulphadiazine as advised by your physician. Do not crush, chew, or open the medicine. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking the tablet if your doctor advises you to stop.

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Sulphadiazine are nausea and loss of appetite. Some serious side effects include severe allergic reactions, diarrhea, lower back pain, blood in urine, and passing urine less than usual.

Individuals with known allergies to sulfonamides should not use Sulphadiazine. Patients with a history of kidney disease should use this drug cautiously, as the drug is primarily excreted through the kidneys. Individuals with kidney issues, including kidney stones, may require special monitoring and dosage adjustments when taking this drug. Your doctor needs to evaluate your kidney function and determine your suitable dose. Adequate hydration is essential to reduce the risk of crystallization of the drug in the urine, which can lead to kidney damage.

Sulphadiazine may cause blood disorders, such as agranulocytosis or aplastic anemia. Regular monitoring of blood counts is often recommended during prolonged therapy. This drug is generally avoided in infants under two months of age due to the risk of kernicterus (a type of brain damage) in newborns. This medicine may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Patients are advised to use sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid sunburn. You should not breastfeed while taking this tablet since your newborn is at risk of brain damage. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking this medicine. This tablet may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant before taking this medicine.

Tell your doctor immediately about all the medications you have been taking recently, including herbal and supplements, before taking Sulphadiazine. If you forget to take this medicine for the entire day, take your usual dose the next day. However, do not double-dose yourself. Throw away medicines that are no longer needed or are out-of-date. Keep medicines away from children and pets. Do not store these medicines in a damp place such as a bathroom, cabinet, or near the kitchen sink.

1. Wockhardt UK Ltd, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [Revised on Aug 2015] [Accessed on 9 August 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.253.pdf
2. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Sulfonamides, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, quinolones, and agents for urinary tract infections, 12th edition, 2011, 1463 - 1467.
3. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Sulfonamides, cotrimoxazole and quinolones, 7th edition, 2013, 705.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.