This medication is used to treat and prevent a wide variety of infections. Sulfadiazine belongs to the class of drugs known as sulfa antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria and other organisms.

This antibiotic treats only certain types of infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or misuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

This medication should not be used in infants younger than 2 months because of the risk of serious side effects, unless treatment is for a very serious infection (congenital toxoplasmosis).

Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) as directed by your doctor. Drink plenty of fluids during treatment with this medication unless your doctor advises you otherwise. This will help prevent unlikely side effects such as crystals appearing in the urine and kidney stones.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to treatment.

For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time(s) every day.

Continue to take this medication for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or headache may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• mental/mood changes (such as depression, hallucinations)
• signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine, crystals in the urine, painful urination)
• lump/growth/swelling in the front of the neck (goiter)
• signs of low blood sugar (such as shaking, dizziness, blurred vision, unusual hunger)

This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop:

• diarrhea that doesn't stop
• abdominal or stomach pain/cramping
• blood/mucus in your stool

If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse.

Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:

• headache that is severe or doesn't go away
• confusion
• neck stiffness
• seizures

This medication may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) allergic reactions and other side effects such as a severe peeling skin rash (such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome), blood disorders (such as agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia), liver damage, or lung injury. Get medical help right away if you notice any of the following:

• cough that doesn't go away
• nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
• skin rash/blisters
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing
• signs of a new infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever)
• pale skin
• easy bleeding/bruising
• yellowing eyes/skin
• unusual tiredness
• dark urine
• stomach/abdominal pain
• joint pain

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking sulfadiazine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to sulfa medications; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• certain metabolic disorders (porphyria, G6PD deficiency)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• severe allergies
• asthma
• diabetes
• blood disorders (such as anemia due to folate vitamin deficiency)
• decreased bone marrow function (bone marrow suppression)

Sulfadiazine may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using sulfadiazine before having any immunizations/vaccinations.

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Get medical help right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially skin reactions and blood disorders.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. This medication should not be used near the expected delivery date because of possible harm to the unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug passes into breast milk. This drug may have undesirable effects on infants who are ill or premature or have certain disorders (jaundice, high blood levels of bilirubin, G6PD deficiency). Breastfeeding is not recommended for infants with these conditions. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• methenamine
• methotrexate
• PABA taken by mouth
• warfarin

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: dizziness, drowsiness, blood in the urine, fever, loss of consciousness.

Do not share this medication with others.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless your doctor tells you to.

If you are using this medication for an extended period, lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, kidney function) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.