SULFADIAZINE oral

Therapeutic action

• Sulfonamide antibacterial

Indications

• Treatment and secondary prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis in immunodeficient patients, in combination with pyrimethamine

Forms and strengths

• 500 mg tablet

Dosage and duration

Treatment of toxoplasmosis

• Adult: 2 g 2 to 3 times daily for 6 weeks minimum

Secondary prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis

• Adult: 1 to 1.5 g 2 times daily, as long as necessary

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to sulfonamide-allergic patients; patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment.
• May cause:
  • gastrointestinal disturbances, renal disorders (crystalluria, etc.), photosensitivity, megaloblastic anaemia due to folic acid deficiency; haemolytic anaemia in patients with G6PD deficiency;
  • allergic reactions (fever, rash, etc.) sometimes severe (Lyell's and Stevens-Johnson syndromes, haematological disorders, etc.). In these cases, stop treatment immediately.
• Adverse effects occur more frequently in patients with HIV infection.
• Monitor blood count if possible.
• Reduce the dose by half in patients with renal impairment.
• Do not combine with methotrexate and phenytoin.
• Administer calcium folinate systematically to prevent folic acid deficiency.
• Drink a lot of liquid during treatment.
• Pregnancy: no contra-indication. However, avoid using during the last month of pregnancy (risk of jaundice and haemolytic anaemia in the newborn infant).
• Breast-feeding: avoid if preterm infant, jaundice, low-birth weight, infant under one month of age. If sulfadiazine is used, observe the infant for signs of jaundice.

Storage