Sulfamethoxazole NEW

Sulfamethoxazole exhibits a broad antibacterial spectrum, being effective against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It works by competitively inhibiting the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase, which is involved in the biosynthesis of folic acid in bacteria. Since bacteria cannot take up preformed folic acid like mammalian cells and rely on their own synthesis, the inhibition of this enzyme leads to a deficiency of folic acid and subsequent impairment of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, ultimately resulting in bacterial cell death. This mechanism of action is selective for bacteria as human cells do not possess this particular enzyme, thus minimizing the direct toxicity to the host.