Sulfadoxine (also spelled sulphadoxine) is an ultra-long-lasting
sulfonamide
In organic chemistry, the sulfonamide functional group (also spelled sulphonamide) is an organosulfur group with the structure . It consists of a sulfonyl group () connected to an amine group (). Relatively speaking this group is unreactive. ...
used in
combination with
pyrimethamine
Pyrimethamine, sold under the brand name Daraprim among others, is a medication used with leucovorin (leucovorin is used to decrease side effects of pyrimethamine; it does not have intrinsic anti-parasitic activity) to treat the parasitic disea ...
to treat
malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...
.
[Medical Treatment - Sulphadoxine and Pyrimethamine]
.
It is also used to prevent malaria but due to high levels of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance, this use has become less common.
It is also used, usually in combination with other drugs, to treat or prevent various infections in livestock.
Mechanism of action
Sulfadoxine competitively inhibits
dihydropteroate synthase, interfering with folate synthesis.
See also
*
Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine
Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, sold under the brand name Fansidar, is a combination medication used to treat malaria. It contains sulfadoxine (a sulfonamide) and pyrimethamine (an antiprotozoal). For the treatment of malaria it is typically used alo ...
References
Anilines
Ethers
Pyrimidines
Sulfonamide antibiotics
Dihydropteroate synthetase inhibitors
Antimalarial agents
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