Co-trimoxazole
Drug Info
Generic Name: Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim
Tablets (sul-fa-meth-OX-a-zole/trye-METH-oh-prim)
Brand Name: Examples include Bactrim and Septra
Bactrim is used for:
Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.
Bactrim is an antibiotic combination containing
a sulfonamide antibiotic. It works by killing
sensitive bacteria.
Do NOT use Bactrim if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Bactrim
or to similar medicines
you had a severe allergic reaction to any other sulfonamide (sulfa) medicine
(eg, glipizide, hydrochlorothiazide)
you are taking dofetilide
you have anemia caused by low levels of folate in the blood or urinary blockage
you are in week 38 of pregnancy or later (full-term) or you are breast-feeding
the patient is a child younger than 2 months old
Contact your doctor or health care provider
right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Bactrim : Some medical conditions may interact with Bactrim
. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have
any medical conditions, especially if any of
the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription (especially seizure medications) or nonprescription
medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have liver or kidney problems, blood problems (eg, anemia, porphyria),
asthma, or AIDS
if you have severe allergies, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency,
or an enzyme deficiency
if you at risk for low levels of folate in the blood (eg, you have alcoholism,
are elderly, you do not absorb nutrients from food properly, you are in a poor
nutritional state, you are taking medicine for seizures) Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Bactrim . Tell
your health care provider if you are taking any
other medicines, especially any of the following:
Leucovorin because it may decrease Bactrim
's effectiveness
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril) or diuretics
(eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because they may increase the risk of Bactrim 's
side effects
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased
Dofetilide because the risk of severe heart problems may be increased
Digoxin, methotrexate, phenytoin, sulfones (eg, dapsone), or sulfonylureas
(eg, glipizide) because their actions and side effects may be increased
Cyclosporine because its effectiveness may be decreased and the risk of liver
side effects may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions
that may occur. Ask your health care provider
if Bactrim may interact with other medicines
that you take. Check with your health care provider
before you start, stop, or change the dose of
any medicine.
How to use Bactrim : Use Bactrim as directed by your doctor. Check
the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Bactrim by mouth with or without food.
Bactrim works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
Take Bactrim with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Drink several extra
glasses of water a day unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
To clear up your infection completely, take Bactrim for the full course of
treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
If you miss a dose of Bactrim , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost
time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing
schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Ask your health care provider any questions
you may have about how to use Bactrim .
Important safety information:
Bactrim may cause you to become sunburned
more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning
booths until you know how you react to Bactrim
. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing
if you must be outside for more than a short
time.
Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea,
or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your
doctor.
Be sure to use Bactrim for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the
medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also
become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection
harder to treat in the future.
Bactrim only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg,
the common cold).
Long-term or repeated use of Bactrim may cause a second infection. Tell your
doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed
to treat this.
Diabetes patients - Bactrim may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar
levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes
medicine.
Bactrim may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab
personnel know you are taking Bactrim .
Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and kidney function tests,
may be performed while you use Bactrim . These tests may be used to monitor
your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab
appointments.
Use Bactrim with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its
effects, especially severe skin reactions, bone marrow suppression, or high
blood potassium levels.
Use Bactrim with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old who
have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or bowel.
Bactrim should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 3 months old; safety
and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor.
You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Bactrim while you
are pregnant. Do not use Bactrim if you are in week 38 of pregnancy or later
(full-term). Bactrim is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking
Bactrim . Possible side effects of Bactrim :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many
people have no, or minor, side effects. Check
with your doctor if any of these most COMMON
side effects persist or become bothersome:
Appetite loss; nausea; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of
these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching;
difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest;
swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue);
blistered, peeling, red, or swollen skin; bloody
or black, tarry stools; chest pain; chills, fever,
or sore throat; decreased urination; depression;
hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; joint or
muscle pain; painful or stiff neck; purple patches
under the skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe
or persistent cough; severe or persistent headache;
severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; shortness
of breath; stomach cramps/pain; unusual bruising
or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually
pale skin; vaginal irritation or discharge; yellowing
of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects
that may occur. If you have questions or need
medical advice about side effects, contact your
doctor or health care provider. You may report
side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088)
or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association
of Poison Control Centers), your local poison
control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm),
or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include
blood in urine; confusion; depression; dizziness;
drowsiness; loss of consciousness; severe nausea
or vomiting; severe or prolonged headache; unusual
bruising or bleeding.
Proper storage of Bactrim :
Store Bactrim at room temperature, between 59
and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store
away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep in
a tight, light-resistant container. Do not store
in the bathroom. Keep Bactrim out of the reach
of children and away from pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Bactrim ,
please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or
other health care provider.
Bactrim is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not
share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your
doctor. This information is a summary only. It does
not contain all information about Bactrim . If
you have questions about the medicine you are
taking or would like more information, check
with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health
care provider. |
