Sulfa drugs are a group of synthetic antibiotics that contain a sulfonamide group. They were among the first antibiotics discovered and are used to treat bacterial infections. These medications work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, making them effective against various infections, including urinary tract infections and certain types of pneumonia. Developed in the 1930s, sulfa drugs played a significant role in medicine before the advent of penicillin and other antibiotics. While their use has declined due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and the availability of more effective treatments, they remain important in specific cases and are still used in some medical settings today.