Title: What Is the Difference Between Sulfa and Sulfur?
Headings: What Is the Difference Between Sulfa and Sulfur?
What Is the Difference Between Sulfa and Sulfur?
Content: What Is the Difference Between Sulfa and Sulfur? What Is the Difference Between Sulfa and Sulfur? By Staff Writer Last Updated Mar 27, 2020 8:14:49 AM ET
Sulfa is a type of pharmaceutical drug that contain sulfonamides. Sulfonamides are compounds that contain nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and the sulfur they take their name from. Sulfur is a chemical that is extremely small and unlikely to cause allergic reactions on its own, unlike sulfonamides. Sulfur is a component of sulfates and sulfite preservatives, in addition to sulfa drugs. It is widely used in the production of pharmaceutical drugs and chemicals. Sulfa drugs are the first known antibiotics produced. The antimicrobial molecules inhibit the reproduction of bacteria. Allergic reactions to sulfa drugs may occur as a result of the actions of the antimicrobial molecules rather than as an allergic reaction to the sulfur in the drugs.