The Prevention of Renal Complications by the Therapeutic Employment of Sulfonamide Mixtures

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The simultaneous therapeutic employment of sulfathiazole and sulfadiazine in form of a mixture of equal amts. was suggested on the strength of exptl. evidence, which indicated a strikingly low renal toxicity and high antibacterial activity of this drug combination. The sulfathiazole-sulfa-diazine mixture was compared with either of its components with regard to absorption and excretion of a single dose in 3 human subjects. The mixture was quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and readily eliminated by the kidneys. Peak levels as high as from sulfadiazine alone were reached in the blood within 4 hrs. after drug admn., suggesting that adequate therapeutic concns. of the sulfonamide combination could be maintained, using the 4 hr. interval of admn. Clinical studies with the sulfathiazole-sulfadiazine mixture were carried out, under carefully controlled conditions, on 70 patients with acute bacterial infections. Therapeutic results were uniformly satisfactory and were conspicuous in many instances because of the speed of clinical improvement or cure. Effective blood levels and high sulfonamide concns. in the urine were maintained under routine dosage (4 g. initially, 1 g. every 4 hrs., administered orally). Discontinuation of therapy resulted in rapid clearance of the mixture from the body. Crys-talluria was infrequent, despite the intentional omission of adjuvant alkali therapy. No signs of renal irritation were encountered. The incidence of allergic reactions also appeared decreased.