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Sulfadimidine - Indications, Dosage, Side Effects and Precautions

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Information about Sulfadimidine

Generic Name : Sulfadimidine
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Sulfadimidine are provided here.

Understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.
You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.


Therapeutic Classification : Anti- Bacterials

Trade Names/Brand Names of Sulfadimidine

India :

Other Name(s) of Sulfadimidine

Sulfadimerazine, sulfadimezine, sulphadimethylpyrimidine

Overview of Sulfadimidine

• Sulfadimidine is a short-acting antibacterial agent.
• These medicines are grouped under synthetic antimicrobial agents that contain the sulfonamide group.
• These are commonly called as sulfa drugs.

Why is Sulfadimidine Prescribed? (Indications)

Sulfadimidine is prescribed to treat urinary tract infections, prostatitis (infection of the prostate gland) and respiratory tract infections caused by bacteria.
It is capable of inhibiting the growth or reproduction of bacteria but not killing the bacteria.
It blocks the synthesis of bacterial dihydrofolic acid and therefore inhibits the growth of bacteria.

When should Sulfadimidine not be taken? (Contraindications)

• Sulfadimidine should not be used in patients suffering from porphyria, a disorder with an excess chemical called porphyrin that affects nervous system and skin.
• It is not recommended in kidney failure patients because the drug is rapidly excreted in urine.
• Patients with G6PD (glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency should not take sulfadimidine because of the occurrence of blood disorders such as anemia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia.
• It should not be used in patients allergic to the drug.

What is the dosage of Sulfadimidine?

• The recommended adult dose is 0.5 g to 1 g taken three or four times daily.

How should Sulfadimidine be taken?

• Sulfadimidine comes as a tablet or suspension to be taken by mouth with food to avoid gastric discomfort.
• Antacids reduce the absorption of sulfadimidine, therefore antacids should be taken after 2 hours from sulfadimidine administration.

What are the warnings and precautions for Sulfadimidine?

•Caution is needed in newborns as sulfadimidine induces jaundice by displacing bilirubin (bile pigment) from its binding protein.

• Use with caution in individuals with kidney or liver disease.

What are the side effects of Sulfadimidine?

Skin: Allergic reactions such as rashes, itching and rarely causes serious skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson-Syndrome and epidermal necrolysis.
Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Blood: Anemia, agranulocytosis (low white blood cell count), hemolytic anemia (anemia that occurs due to the rupture of red blood cell) and thrombocytopenia (reduced platelet count) in patients with glucose-6-phosphate deficiency.
Others: Crystalluria (cloudy urine), pancreatitis, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, and fever.

What are the other precautions for Sulfadimidine?

• A complete blood cell count should be monitored during the therapy to detect for various blood disorders.

What are the Drug Interactions of Sulfadimidine?

• Drugs such as ascorbic acid increase the risk of crystalluria.
• The toxicity of methotrexate is increased by sulfadimidine.
• Metabolism of phenytoin, tolbutamide, and warfarin are inhibited by sulfadimidine resulting in accumulation of these drugs in the body.
Clozapine, an antipsychotic drug taken together with sulfadimidine could increase the chances of blood problems.

What are the storage conditions for Sulfadimidine?

• Stored at room temperature away from light and moisture.
• Keep out of reach of children.
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