Sulfapyridine ( INN; also known as sulphapyridine) is a

sulfanilamide Sulfanilamide (also spelled sulphanilamide) is a sulfonamide antibacterial drug. Chemically, it is an organic compound consisting of an aniline derivatized with a sulfonamide group. Powdered sulfanilamide was used by the Allies in World War II ...

antibacterial medication. At one time, it was commonly referred to as M&B 693. Sulfapyridine is no longer prescribed for treatment of infections in humans. However, it may be used to treat

linear IgA disease Linear IgA bullous dermatosis is a rare immune-mediated blistering skin disease frequently associated with medication exposure, especially vancomycin, with men and women being equally affected.James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). ' ...

and has use in veterinary medicine. It is a good antibacterial drug, but its water solubility is very pH dependent. Thus there is a risk of

crystallization Crystallization is the process by which solid forms, where the atoms or molecules are highly organized into a structure known as a crystal. Some ways by which crystals form are precipitating from a solution, freezing, or more rarely deposi ...

within the bladder or urethra, which could lead to pain or blockage. As with other sulfonamides, there is a significant risk of

agranulocytosis Agranulocytosis, also known as agranulosis or granulopenia, is an acute condition involving a severe and dangerous lowered white blood cell count (leukopenia, most commonly of neutrophils) and thus causing a neutropenia in the circulating blood. ...

, and this, rather than the development of resistance by bacteria, is the main reason for its decline in use.

History

M&B 693 was one of the first generation of sulfonamide antibiotics. It was discovered by Lionel Whitby at the British firm

May & Baker May & Baker was a British chemical company founded by John May and William Gerrard Baker in Wandsworth, London in 1839. They initially specialized in the manufacture of chemicals derived from mercury and bismuth. Over the years they diversified ...

Ltd and logged in their Test Book on 2 November, 1937 under Code No M&B 693. During the aftermath to the disastrous convoy SC7, in October 1940, Surgeon-Lieutenant John Robertson, RN, of HMS ''Leith'', saved the life of Commodore Lachlan MacKinnon, from the torpedoed ''

Assyrian Assyrian may refer to: * Assyrian people, the indigenous ethnic group of Mesopotamia. * Assyria, a major Mesopotamian kingdom and empire. ** Early Assyrian Period ** Old Assyrian Period ** Middle Assyrian Empire ** Neo-Assyrian Empire * Assyrian ...

'', who had developed pneumonia, by giving him M&B 693, despite Robertson never having used it before and not knowing the required dosage. M&B 693 was successfully used to treat

Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 187424 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 Winston Churchill in the Second World War, dur ...

's bacterial pneumonia. In a subsequent wartime radio broadcast on December 29, 1943, he said: "This admirable M&B, from which I did not suffer any inconvenience, was used at the earliest moment; and after a week's fever, the intruders were repulsed." This quote is attributed to Churchill's time in Tunis while visiting General Eisenhower's headquarters in December 1943. It was widely reported in the press the following day Mr Churchill's own bulletin', Yorkshire Post; 'Premier off to convalesce', East Anglian Times; 'Premier goes to convalescence - Destination unknown', Newcastle Journal The same source records that in 1944 M&B 693 also saved Nero, the Royal Circus lion, from pneumonia. lasgow Evening News January 1944.It could either be taken in tablet form or the powder could be placed in wounds. It was used so widely during the Second World War that May & Baker had difficulty keeping up with demand. It was later largely superseded by

penicillin Penicillins (P, PCN or PEN) are a group of β-lactam antibiotics originally obtained from ''Penicillium'' moulds, principally '' P. chrysogenum'' and '' P. rubens''. Most penicillins in clinical use are synthesised by P. chrysogenum using ...

and other sulfonamides.

Related medications

The drug sulfasalazine is structurally one molecule of mesalamine linked to one molecule of sulfapyridine with an azo chemical linker.

References

{{Sulfonamides and trimethoprim Sulfonamide antibiotics 2-Pyridyl compounds Abandoned drugs