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Overview: Sulfadiazine is an antibiotic that is used to treat or prevent infections caused by certain bacteria or parasites. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, rash, joint pain, and headache. To reduce your risk of kidney stones, drink plenty of water while taking this medicine, including drinking 8 ounces of water with each dose. Tell your health care provider right away if you get a rash, sore throat, fever, unusual bleeding, or pale or yellowish skin.

Uses

What is sulfadiazine used for?

Sulfadiazine is an antibiotic that is commonly used for the following infections caused by certain bacteria or parasites.

  • Chancroid, which is a sexually transmitted infection caused by certain bacteria
  • Trachoma, which is a bacterial infection of the eyes
  • Inclusion conjunctivitis, which is a sexually transmitted infection caused by certain bacteria that affects your eyes
  • Nocardiosis, which is an infection of the lungs or skin by certain bacteria found in soil or standing water
  • Kidney or bladder infection
  • Toxoplasmosis encephalitis, which is a parasite infection in the brain
  • Malaria
  • Certain types of meningitis
  • Ear infection

Sulfadiazine is also commonly used to prevent certain bacterial infections, such as meningitis or rheumatic fever.

Sulfadiazine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Sulfadiazine may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to sulfadiazine, which will make it not work as well.

How does sulfadiazine work (mechanism of action)?

Sulfadiazine stops certain types of bacteria and parasites from growing by disrupting their ability to create substances that they need to grow and reproduce.

How is sulfadiazine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Microsulfon

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 500 mg oral tablets

How should I store sulfadiazine?

Sulfadiazine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of sulfadiazine?

The most common side effects of sulfadiazine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Rash
  • Joint pain
  • Headache

There may be other side effects of sulfadiazine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of sulfadiazine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of sulfadiazine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Sulfadiazine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking sulfadiazine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Disorders. Sulfadiazine can cause blood disorders, such as agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), and low white blood cell levels (leukopenia). Stop using sulfadiazine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Sore throat
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Kidney Stones. Sulfadiazine may cause kidney stones. Drinking plenty of water (an 8 ounce glass of water with each dose and throughout the day) can help prevent kidney stones. Tell your health care provider right away if you develop severe pain in your side or back or have blood in your urine (pee). Your pee may look pink, red, or brown.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use sulfadiazine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take sulfadiazine.

  • Sulfadiazine
  • Microsulfon
  • Any other medicine known as a sulfonamide
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific sulfadiazine products they stock.

Children Less Than 2 Months Old. Sulfadiazine should not be used in children under 2 months of age except in very rare situations. Contact your health care provider before giving this medicine to your child if they are less than 2 months of age.

Term or Near-Term Pregnancy. Do not take sulfadiazine if you are pregnant and at or near your delivery date. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

Breastfeeding. Do not take sulfadiazine if you are breastfeeding. You must either stop breastfeeding or stop sulfadiazine. See the Breastfeeding section for more details.

What should I know about sulfadiazine before using it?

Do not take sulfadiazine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. Drink 8 ounces of water with each dose. 

Do not share sulfadiazine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep sulfadiazine out of the reach of children.

Sulfadiazine can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin.

What should I tell my health care provider before using sulfadiazine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if sulfadiazine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency. Sulfadiazine is more likely to cause certain serious side effects in people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a genetic condition that affects your red blood cells. Tell your health care provider if you or any close family members have G6PD deficiency.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Sulfadiazine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking sulfadiazine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver or kidney problems
  • Severe allergies
  • Asthma

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how sulfadiazine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use sulfadiazine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Severe side effects can occur in a baby if the mother takes sulfadiazine near the expected delivery date.

Breastfeeding. Do not take sulfadiazine while you are breastfeeding. Sulfadiazine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Severe side effects can occur in a baby who gets breast milk from a mother who is taking sulfadiazine. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop sulfadiazine.

Interactions

Does sulfadiazine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between sulfadiazine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect sulfadiazine, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. 

Does sulfadiazine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking sulfadiazine.

  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • Methotrexate (Trexall and others), which is a medicine commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis or certain types of cancer
  • A sulfonylurea, such as glimepiride, glipizide, or glyburide, which is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes
  • A thiazide diuretic, such as chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide, or indapamide, which is a medicine commonly used to lower blood pressure
  • Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • Indomethacin (Indocin), which is a medicine used for certain types of arthritis
  • A salicylate, such as diflunisal or salsalate, which is a medicine used for arthritis 

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with sulfadiazine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much sulfadiazine?

If you or someone else has used too much sulfadiazine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of sulfadiazine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

It is important to complete your prescribed course of sulfadiazine, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to sulfadiazine or other similar medicines.