Sulfonamide (or called
sulphonamide,
sulfa drugs,
sulpha drugs) is the basis of several groups of drugs. The original antibacterial sulfonamides are synthetic antimicrobial agents that contain the
sulfonamide group. Some sulfonamides are also devoid of antibacterial activity, e.g., the
anticonvulsant sultiame. The
sulfonylureas and
thiazide diuretics are newer drug groups based on the antibacterial sulfonamides.