sulfacetamide
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Definition
Noun: 1. A sulfonamide antibiotic drug: Sulfacetamide is a type of antimicrobial medication belonging to the sulfonamide class. It is primarily formulated for topical application (applied directly to a body surface) to treat bacterial infections.
Usage
Sulfacetamide is used almost exclusively as a topical agent. Its primary and most common use is in ophthalmology (eye care). * It is formulated as eye drops or eye ointment to treat bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) and other superficial eye infections. * It may also be found in some topical creams or lotions for treating skin infections.
Examples
- The doctor prescribed sulfacetamide eye drops for the bacterial conjunctivitis.
- Sulfacetamide is effective against a range of bacteria commonly involved in eye infections.
- Apply the sulfacetamide ointment to the affected area twice daily.
Advanced Usage
- Mechanism of Action: Sulfacetamide works as a competitive antagonist of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), inhibiting bacterial synthesis of folic acid, which is essential for bacterial growth.
- Trade Name Reference: The word may appear with a trade name, such as "Sulamyd," which is a specific brand of sulfacetamide sodium ophthalmic solution.
Variants and Related Words
- Sulfacetamide Sodium: This is the sodium salt form of sulfacetamide, commonly used in sterile ophthalmic solutions.
- Sulfonamide (noun): The broader class of synthetic antibacterial drugs to which sulfacetamide belongs. Other examples include sulfadiazine and sulfamethoxazole.
Synonyms
- Antibacterial agent
- Sulfa drug (informal for sulfonamide antibiotic)
Important Notes
- Not a Verb/Idiom: "Sulfacetamide" is a specific drug name (a proper noun in a medical context). It does not have phrasal verbs, idioms, or different parts of speech. It is used solely as a noun to identify the medication.
- Allergy Warning: Individuals with a known allergy to sulfonamides ("sulfa" drugs) should not use sulfacetamide.
Noun
- a topical sulfonamide (trade name Sulamyd) used to treat eye infections