Why is this medication prescribed?
Sulfadiazine, a sulfa drug, eliminates bacteria that cause infections, especially urinary tract infections. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Sulfadiazine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken three to six times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sulfadiazine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
The tablets should be taken with a full glass of water.
Continue to take sulfadiazine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking sulfadiazine without talking to your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking sulfadiazine,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sulfadiazine, any other sulfa drugs, diuretic ('water pills'), oral diabetes medications, or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), diabetes medications, diuretics ('water pills'), and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, asthma, severe allergies, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disease).
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking sulfadiazine, call your doctor.
plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Sulfadiazine may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
You should drink plenty of fluids and take sulfadiazine on an empty stomach.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Sulfadiazine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
diarrhea
upset stomach
loss of appetite
dizziness
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
rash or skin changes
sore throat
fever
headache
joint or muscle aches
yellowing of the skin or eyes
swelling of the lips or tongue
swallowing problems
tiredness
weakness
blood in urine
difficulty breathing
unusual bleeding or bruising
ringing in ears
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
