Prontosil is an antibacterial drug of the sulfonamide group. It has a relatively broad effect against gram-positive cocci but not against enterobacteria. One of the earliest antimicrobial drugs, it was widely used in the mid-20th century but is little used today because better options now exist.

What is prontosil used to treat?

Prontosil was discovered in 1932 by a research team at the Bayer Laboratories of the IG Farben conglomerate in Germany. A substance that kills or slows the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans. A drug used to treat or prevent bacterial infections.

What is the active ingredient in prontosil?

The original sulphonamide, sulphanilamide, is the active principle of Prontosil, which holds a special place in medicine as the first agent to exhibit broad-spectrum activity against systemic bacterial disease (see Ch. 1).