SULPHAGUANIDINE

The sulphonamides are competitive inhibitors of p-aminobenzoic acid in the folic acid metabolism cycle and have a bacteriostatic effect on a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. The sulphonamides are distributed widely throughout all organs and tissues; and are metabolized primarily by the liver, producing inactive acetylated and glucuronide forms, which are excreted in urine (28). Sulphonamides are used extensively in veterinary medicine and their use in food producing animals could result in potentially harmful concentrations in tissue, organs and milk. The potential risk is reduced by withdrawal of the drug for a fixed period before slaughter, although residual levels may still remain.