Sulfa drugs describe a class of antibiotics known as sulfonamides. Members of this antibiotic class include sulfadiazine and sulfamethoxazole. These medications can be used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, but their use can be limited due to the potentially serious side effects that they can cause. As a result, sulfa drugs are not recommended for patients with certain medical conditions and require self-monitoring by the patient.
Gastrointestinal Effects
The most common side effects associated with use of sulfonamide drugs affect the gastrointestinal system, Medline Plus notes. These include diarrhea, nausea and loss of appetite. Patients may also develop abdominal gas or vomit. In general, these symptoms are not severe and will go away after the medication is discontinued.
Neurological Symptoms
Patients taking sulfa drugs may also develop certain neurological symptoms, Drugs.com explains. These include dizziness and drowsiness, as well as a headache. More severe neurological side effects include fainting and hallucinations.
Allergies
Patients can also have an allergy to sulfa drugs. The symptoms of a sulfa drug allergy depend on the severity of the allergic reactions. Mild cases will cause a rash and hives to appear. More severe allergic reactions can result in swelling of the face, tongue and lips. In the most extreme cases, the throat will begin to swell, making breathing and swallowing difficult. This is known as anaphylaxis and is a medical emergency.
Skin
Sulfa drugs can also cause the skin to become unusually sensitive to sunlight. This can lead to patients developing sunburns more easily. Patients taking sulfa drugs should avoid direct sunlight whenever possible and should wear sunscreen at all times.
Liver Damage
Sulfa drugs can also cause damage to the liver, NetDoctor states. Liver damage can result in a variety of symptoms, such as jaundice, which causes the skin and the whites of the eyes to become yellow. Patients may also develop unusually dark urine and be prone to bleeding or bruising.
Kidney Damage
Sulfa drugs may also damage the kidneys, particularly if they are taken with the antibiotic cyclosporin, notes NetDoctor. Kidney damage can cause urination to be painful and difficult and may result in blood appearing in the urine. Patients may also experience flank pain as a result of kidney damage.
Pain
Sulfa drugs are also able to cause myalgia, which causes the muscles to feel sore and achy. This can also result in joint pain.
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
One particularly serious potential side effect of the use of sulfa drugs is a condition known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is marked by a blistering purple or red rash that progresses to cover large parts of the body. Eventually the skin affected by this rash is shed, making the body vulnerable to cellulitis and other dangerous bacterial infections. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a medical emergency and patients taking sulfa drugs who notice a purple-red rash developing should immediately contact their doctors.
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