sul|fon|a|mide

sul|fon|a|mide «suhl FON uh myd; _SUHL fuh NAM yd, -ihd», noun.

1. any one of a group of sulfa drugs, derivatives of sulfanilamide, which check bacterial infections, chiefly by preventing the synthesis in the body of certain substances necessary to the growth of disease-producing bacteria. Their use is governed by factors such as rate of absorption and resistance of the bacteria. Other drugs, such as sodium bicarbonate, are often administered with them to reduce their toxic effects.

2. Chemistry. a) an organic compound which contains the univalent radical -SO₂NH₂. b) the radical itself.

╂[< sulfon(yl) + amide]