Sulfonamides - topical antibiotics

Is Sulfa Adequate for treatment of acne?

Sulfonamides are one of the many antimicrobial drugs ever invented in the nineteen century . Because of the huge success in the mid 1900s, many drug companies produced this drugs and released in to the market. As a results of the mass production and uncontrolled use of the drug the 1937, more than hundreds of peoples died only in the USA.

Sulfonamides also known as sulfa drugs are synthetic topical antibiotics used for the treatment of acne. Sometimes acne might not respond to OTC and oral medications. Under such circumstance, dermatologist prescribe a different types of antibiotics such as sulfa drugs.

• Sulfa is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. It is known to delay acne-causing bacterial growth on your skin by boosting your immune system. Some of the sulfa drugs: Bactrim and Septra have higher chance of destroying the bacteria that causes acne. This days, unless your antibiotics are not worked, dermatologist won't prescribe sulfa as it has a higher incidence of allergic reaction. Therefore, physicians only prescribe sulfa when other treatment options are not working.

• Sulfa drugs fight only bacterial infection that causes acne. As a result, physicians recommend the use of other OTC and prescription medication in order to get the full benefits of the sulfa drugs. Usually benzoyl peroxide containing product is prescribed along with antibiotics to maximize   your likelihood of successful treatment.

Side effects of sulfonamides

• Sensation of spinning
• Dizziness
• Insomnia and joint pain
• Ringing in your ears
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Severe allergic reactions
• Fever
• burning rash on your skin

If any of the above side effects  happens to you, you should get a medical aid.

Adverse reaction to sulfonamide is the common drug allergy that are estimated to occur in 3 - 6 % of the course of treatment. Only a small proportion of those adverse reactions be allergic nature. The followings are some of the symptoms of sulfa allergy:

• Moderate to severe skin reactions.
• Kidney failure.
• Worsen asthmatic conditions.
•  Reduce the number of red blood cells and white blood cells.
• Can cause birth defects

The most commonly prescribed sulfonamide antibiotics

• Sulfasalazine - is a medicine a drug used  for the treatment of  rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. 
• Sulfamethoxazole - it is the common sulfonamide antibiotic
• Sulfadiazine silver -  a topical cream used for the treatment and prevention of infection in wounds and other type of burns
• Sulfacetamide -  used for the treatment eye infection.
  

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Tags

Topical antibiotics, OTC, oral medications, prescription medication, benzoyl peroxide