Sulfapyridine

Sulfapyridine

Sulfapyridine

Chemical compound

Sulfapyridine (INN; also known as sulphapyridine) is a sulfanilamide antibacterial medication. At one time, it was commonly referred to as M&B 693. Sulfapyridine is no longer prescribed for treatment of infections in humans. However, it may be used to treat linear IgA disease and has use in veterinary medicine.[1] It is a good antibacterial drug, but its water solubility is very pH dependent. Thus there is a risk of crystallization within the bladder or urethra, which could lead to pain or blockage. As with other sulfonamides, there is a significant risk of agranulocytosis, and this, rather than the development of resistance by bacteria, is the main reason for its decline in use.

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History

M&B 693 was one of the first generation of sulfonamide antibiotics. It was discovered by Lionel Whitby at the British firm May & Baker Ltd and logged in their Test Book on 2 November, 1937 under Code No M&B 693.

During the aftermath to the disastrous convoy SC7, in October 1940, Surgeon-Lieutenant John Robertson, RN, of HMS Leith, saved the life of Commodore Lachlan MacKinnon, from the torpedoed Assyrian, who had developed pneumonia, by giving him M&B 693, despite Robertson never having used it before and not knowing the required dosage.[2]

M&B 693 was successfully used to treat Winston Churchill's bacterial pneumonia.[3][4]

The same source records that in 1944 M&B 693 also saved Nero, the Royal Circus lion, from pneumonia.[5]

It could either be taken in tablet form or the powder could be placed in wounds. It was used so widely during the Second World War that May & Baker had difficulty keeping up with demand. It was later largely superseded by penicillin and other sulfonamides.

The drug sulfasalazine is structurally one molecule of mesalamine linked to one molecule of sulfapyridine with an azo chemical linker.

References

  1. [1]
    "Sulfapyride". drugs.com.
  2. [2]
    Lund P, Ludlam H (1974). Night of the U-boats. London: New English Library. p. 130.
  3. [3]
    Vale JA, Scadding JW (December 2017). "Sir Winston Churchill: treatment for pneumonia in 1943 and 1944" (PDF). Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 47 (4): 390–93. doi:10.4997/JRCPE.2017.418. PMID 29537415. S2CID 261386634. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  4. [4]
    Lesch JE (2007). "Chapter 7: M&B 693". The first miracle drugs: how the sulfa drugs transformed medicine (PDF). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 158–159. ISBN 978-0-19-518775-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2019. This admirable M&B, from which I did not suffer any inconvenience, was used at the earliest moment; and after a week's fever the intruders were repulsed. I hope all our battles will be equally well conducted....
  5. [5]
    Lesch JE (2007). "Chapter 7: M&B 693". The first miracle drugs: how the sulfa drugs transformed medicine (PDF). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-19-518775-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2019. M&B seemed to be everywhere, even at the circus, where the medicine was reported to have pulled Nero, Royal circus lion, through pneumonia, and at the London Zoo, where Winnie the lioness was also treated with M&B 693 for pneumonia.
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