SULFAPYRIDINE Meaning and
Definition
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Sulfapyridine is a chemical compound that belongs to the group of sulfonamide antibiotics. It is an odorless, yellowish crystalline powder that is soluble in water and other polar solvents. Sulfapyridine was one of the earliest synthetic antibiotics developed and has been used in the treatment of various bacterial infections.
As a sulfonamide antibiotic, sulfapyridine inhibits the growth of bacteria by interfering with their ability to synthesize essential substances for reproduction. It achieves this by competitively inhibiting the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase, which is vital for the production of folic acid, an essential nutrient for bacteria. By blocking this enzyme, sulfapyridine disrupts the bacteria's ability to produce DNA, RNA, and proteins needed for their survival and multiplication.
Sulfapyridine has been widely used in the treatment of different infections, including urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, and gastrointestinal infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It is particularly effective against gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli. However, due to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance, sulfapyridine is typically used in combination with other antibiotics or replaced by newer, more effective drugs.
Although generally well-tolerated, sulfapyridine can cause side effects, including allergic reactions, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal disturbances. In rare cases, it can also cause more severe adverse reactions such as blood disorders or liver damage.
Overall, sulfapyridine is an important component of the sulfonamide family of antibiotics and has contributed to the treatment of bacterial infections, though its clinical use has diminished over time due to the emergence of bacterial resistance and the development of more potent antibiotics.
Common Misspellings for SULFAPYRIDINE
- aulfapyridine
- zulfapyridine
- xulfapyridine
- dulfapyridine
- eulfapyridine
- wulfapyridine
- sylfapyridine
- shlfapyridine
- sjlfapyridine
- silfapyridine
- s8lfapyridine
- s7lfapyridine
- sukfapyridine
- supfapyridine
- suofapyridine
- suldapyridine
- sulcapyridine
- sulvapyridine
- sulgapyridine
Etymology of SULFAPYRIDINE
The word "sulfapyridine" is derived from two components: "sulfa" and "pyridine".
1. "Sulfa" originates from the component "sulf-" which comes from the chemical element "sulfur". It is a common abbreviation for "sulfonamide", which refers to a class of drugs that contain a sulfonamide functional group. The term "sulfa" has been used to describe drugs with antimicrobial properties since the early 1930s.
2. "Pyridine" is a heterocyclic aromatic compound with a six-membered ring containing five carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom. It is named after the Greek word "pyr" which means "fire" due to its strong, distinctive odor.
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