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Sulfacetamide


Mechanism of action:

Sulfacetamide is a sulfonamide antibiotic (sulfonamide antibiotic). Sulfacetamide is structurally similar to para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which is a necessary precursor for bacterial folate synthesis. Sulfacetamide competitively binds to dihydropteroate synthase in place of para-aminobenzoic acid, blocking the formation of dihydrofolic acid and ultimately impairing bacterial nucleic acid synthesis.

Reference(s):

1. Hull CA et al. (2004). A double-blind comparative study of sodium sulfacetamide lotion 10% versus selenium sulfide lotion 2.5% in the treatment of pityriasis (tinea) versicolor. Cutis. 


2. Del Rosso JQ et al. (2004). Evaluating the role of topical therapies in the management of rosacea: focus on combination sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur formulations. Cutis. 


3. Roth HW et al. (1992). [The effective antibacterial spectrum of sulfacetamide]. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd.

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