Sulphanilamide

Pronunciation

• IPA: /sÊŒlfəˈnɪlÉ™maɪd/

Origin

From sulphanilic + amide.

Alternative forms

• sulfanilamide

Full definition of sulphanilamide

Noun

1. (pharmacology) The amide of sulphanilic acid, used to treat streptococcal infections; the parent compound of the sulphonamides.
• 2001: Gerhard Domagk discovered that the red dye Prontosil is active against streptococcal infections in mice and humans. Soon afterward French workers showed that its active antibacterial agent is sulphanilamide. — Leslie Iversen, Drugs: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford 2001, p. 9)