Sulfamethoxazole is an antibacterial or antimicrobial sulphonamide.
Members of this group act as an analogue of PABA (para-amino benzoic acid) and inhibit an enzyme that is involved in folate synthesis, thus starving the bacteria of the B-group vitamin folate.
Trimethoprim inhibits a subsequent step in the reaction so it may act synergistically and sulfamethoxazole is often used in combination with trimethoprim (as co-trimoxazole).
It may be used against susceptible forms of
Streptococcus,
Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA),
Escherichia coli,
Haemophilus influenzae, and oral anaerobes. It is commonly used to treat urinary tract infections
Click below to highlight sections of the molecule,
or hold down left mouse button and drag over it to move it in 3-D.