2007-03-06 01:54:42 · 4 answers · asked by rina j 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
sulfa drugs work on a crevice called the active site they affect only bacteria so they dont affect people
2007-03-06 02:00:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans, being mammals dont synthesize their own folic acid (we take it in with food) therefore we dont have the enzymes needed to make the folic acid, and therefore the sulfa drugs can't inhibit them.
Bacteria cant ingest folic acid, so they have to synthesize their own, which is why sulfa drugs work at killing some of them.
Hope this helps
2007-03-06 02:15:09 · answer #2 · answered by anna w 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, sulfa drugs are not inhibitors of folic acid metabolism, trimethoprim is. But there are several antibiotics that combine a sulfonamide with trimethoprim for better effect. Trimethoprim cannot be taken by pregnant women because it will cause birth defects. lack of folic acid is detrimental to developping fetuses.
2007-03-06 02:21:32 · answer #3 · answered by misoma5 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it would kill me im allergic to sulfa drugs!!
2007-03-06 02:02:39 · answer #4 · answered by Ashley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋