Why do sulfonamides cause crystalluria?
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4 min read
In the early days of antibiotic use, a significant number of patients on older sulfonamide medications developed renal complications due to crystalluria, a condition where crystals form in the urine. The primary reason for this phenomenon lies in the chemical properties of sulfonamide compounds, which have low solubility, especially under certain physiological conditions. When these drugs are metabolized and excreted by the kidneys, they can precipitate and form crystalline aggregates, leading to irritation, obstruction, and potential kidney damage.
