The present invention relates to sulfonylureas and sulfonylthioureas comprising a 5-membered nitrogen-containing heteroaryl ring attached to the sulfonyl group, wherein the heteroaryl ring is substituted with a nitrogen-containing group R1′ wherein R1 contains from 1 to 7 atoms other than hydrogen or halogen. The present invention further relates to salts, solvates and prodrugs of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and to the use of such compounds in the treatment and prevention of medical disorders and diseases, most especially by the inhibition of NLRP3.