Question:

Longest acting sulphonamide is -

Show Hint

Think of the agent paired with pyrimethamine for malaria.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Sulfadiazine
  • Sulphadoxine
  • Sulfamethoxazole
  • Sulfamethiazole
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Sulphonamides are classified by their duration of action, which depends on how slowly they are eliminated from the body. The slower the clearance, the longer the drug stays active.

Step 2: Among the listed agents, sulphadoxine has an extremely long elimination half-life of about 100 to 200 hours, making it the longest acting sulphonamide. Together with sulfamethopyrazine, it belongs to the ultra-long-acting group.

Step 3: Because of this prolonged action, sulphadoxine is used in combination with pyrimethamine (as Fansidar) for the treatment and prophylaxis of malaria.

Step 4: The distractors are shorter acting. Sulfadiazine is intermediate acting, while sulfamethoxazole and sulfamethiazole are short to intermediate acting and require more frequent dosing. Hence sulphadoxine is the correct answer.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0