Elixir sulfanilamide
Elixir Sulfanilamide
Elixir Sulfanilamide (pronounced: eh-lix-er sul-fa-nil-a-mide) is a pharmaceutical drug that was used in the early 20th century as an antibacterial agent. It is a compound of sulfanilamide, a sulfonamide antibiotic, and diethylene glycol, a solvent.
Etymology
The term "elixir" originates from the Arabic word "al-iksir", which means "miracle substance". "Sulfanilamide" is derived from the combination of "sulfa", referring to its sulfur base, and "anilamide", indicating its aniline structure.
History
Elixir Sulfanilamide was introduced in the 1930s as a treatment for streptococcal infections. However, it was later found to be responsible for over 100 deaths due to the toxic effects of its solvent, diethylene glycol. This led to the enactment of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938, which established safety regulations for drugs.
Related Terms
- Sulfonamide: A group of antibiotics that Elixir Sulfanilamide belongs to.
- Diethylene glycol: The toxic solvent used in Elixir Sulfanilamide.
- Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: The law enacted in response to the Elixir Sulfanilamide tragedy.
See Also
- Massengill Company: The company that produced Elixir Sulfanilamide.
- S.E. Massengill Company disaster: The disaster caused by Elixir Sulfanilamide.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Elixir sulfanilamide
- Wikipedia's article - Elixir sulfanilamide
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