Generic Name: sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Oral route)
sul-fa-meth-OX-a-zole, trye-METH-oh-prim
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Bactrim
- Bactrim DS
- Septra
- Septra DS
- Sulfatrim
- Sulfatrim Pediatric
In Canada
- Apo-Sulfatrim
- Novo-Trimel
- Nu-Cotrimox
- Septa Pediatric
- Septra Pediatric Suspension
Available Dosage Forms:
Therapeutic Class: Sulfonamide Combination
Pharmacologic Class: Folic Acid Antagonist
Chemical Class: Sulfonamide
Uses For Bactrim
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination is used to treat infections such as urinary tract infections, middle ear infections (otitis media), bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea, and shigellosis (bacillary dysentery). This medicine is also used to prevent or treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), a very serious kind of pneumonia. This type of pneumonia occurs more commonly in patients whose immune systems are not working normally, such as cancer patients, transplant patients, and patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination is an antibiotic. It works by eliminating the bacteria that cause many kinds of infections. This medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before Using Bactrim
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination in children and infants 2 months of age and older. Because of the toxicity of the combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, use in infants younger than 2 months of age is not recommended.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have a folate deficiency, age-related kidney or liver problems, and may be more likely to experience unwanted side effects (e.g., severe skin rash, increased potassium in the body, or problems with blood clotting or the immune system). There may be a dose adjustment for elderly patients receiving sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination.
Pregnancy
|
Pregnancy Category |
Explanation |
|---|
| All Trimesters |
C |
Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast Feeding
Sulfamethoxazole
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Trimethoprim
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dofetilide
- Levomethadyl
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acecainide
- Acenocoumarol
- Ajmaline
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Aprindine
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Astemizole
- Azimilide
- Bretylium
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Clarithromycin
- Desipramine
- Dibenzepin
- Disopyramide
- Dolasetron
- Doxepin
- Droperidol
- Eltrombopag
- Enflurane
- Erythromycin
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Fluoxetine
- Foscarnet
- Gemifloxacin
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Hydroquinidine
- Ibutilide
- Imipramine
- Isoflurane
- Isradipine
- Lidoflazine
- Lorcainide
- Mefloquine
- Methotrexate
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Pentamidine
- Pirmenol
- Prajmaline
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Propafenone
- Pyrimethamine
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Risperidone
- Sematilide
- Sertindole
- Sotalol
- Spiramycin
- Sultopride
- Tedisamil
- Telithromycin
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimipramine
- Vasopressin
- Warfarin
- Zotepine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acetohexamide
- Anisindione
- Chlorpropamide
- Didanosine
- Digoxin
- Enalaprilat
- Enalapril Maleate
- Fosphenytoin
- Glipizide
- Glyburide
- Phenytoin
- Quinapril
- Repaglinide
- Rifabutin
- Rosiglitazone
- Tolazamide
- Tolbutamide
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol abuse, history of or
- Folate (vitamin B9) deficiency or
- HIV or AIDS or
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease or
- Malabsorption syndrome (difficulty of absorbing food in the body) or
- Malnutrition state (nutrition disorder)—Use with caution. May have an increased chance of serious side effects.
- Anemia, megaloblastic (caused by not enough folic acid) or
- Drug-induced thrombocytopenia (low platelets in the blood) after using this medicine or
- Kidney disease, severe or
- Liver disease, severe—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Asthma or
- Diabetes or
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) or
- Porphyria (enzyme problem) or
- Severe allergies or
- Thyroid problems—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (an enzyme problem)—May cause hemolytic anemia (blood disorder) in patients with this condition.
- Streptococcal infection (group A β-hemolytic)—Sulfonamides should not be used in patients with this condition.
Proper Use of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole
This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. It may not be specific to Bactrim. Please read with care.
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Several additional glasses of water should be taken every day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Drinking extra water will help to prevent some unwanted effects. .
For patients taking the oral liquid, use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage forms (liquid or tablets):
- For treatment of bacterial infections:
- Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—800 milligrams (mg) of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours. Your doctor may adjust this dose if needed.
- Children and infants 2 months of age and older, and weighing up to 40 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 40 milligrams (mg) of sulfamethoxazole and 8 milligrams (mg) of trimethoprim per kilogram of body weight, given in two divided doses every 12 hours.
- Infants younger than 2 months of age—Use is not recommended.
- For chronic bronchitis:
- Adults—800 milligrams (mg) of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours. Your doctor may adjust this dose if needed.
- Children and infants 2 months of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Infants younger than 2 months of age—Use is not recommended.
- For treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP):
- Adults and children 2 months of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 75 to 100 milligrams (mg) of sulfamethoxazole and 15 to 20 milligrams (mg) of trimethoprim per kilogram of body weight each day, given in equally divided doses every 6 hours.
- Infants younger than 2 months of age—Use is not recommended.
- For prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP):
- Adults—800 milligrams (mg) of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim once a day. Your doctor may adjust this dose if needed.
- Children and infants 2 months of age and older—Dose is based on body size and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is 750 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 150 mg of trimethoprim per square meter (m[2]) of body surface each day. This is given in equally divided doses two times a day for 3 days a week on consecutive days (e.g., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).
- Infants younger than 2 months of age—Use is not recommended.
- For traveler's diarrhea:
- Adults—800 milligrams (mg) of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours. Your doctor may adjust this dose if needed.
- Children and infants 2 months of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Infants younger than 2 months of age—Use is not recommended.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using Bactrim
It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Very rarely, this medicine has caused severe side effects. If you or your child start to have a skin rash, or if you think you are having a severe skin reaction, stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away. Symptoms of a severe reaction may include a skin rash, skin color that is very pale or yellow, or skin with purple spots, along with a sore throat, fever, muscle pain, cough, and trouble with breathing.
This medicine, especially if you are receiving high doses or for a long period of time, may lower the number of platelets in your body, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.
This medicine may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. If you have any questions or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have abdominal or stomach cramps; bloating; watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody; nausea or vomiting; or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of a serious intestinal infection.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash; itching; swelling of the face, tongue, and throat; trouble with breathing; shortness of breath; or chest pain after you use the medicine.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you or your child are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.
Patients receiving anticonvulsant therapy (medicines to prevent seizures) may be at risk for a folate (vitamin B9) deficiency, which may increase the risk for side effects. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Bactrim Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare- Abdominal or stomach pain
- black, tarry stools
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- changes in skin color
- chest pain
- chills
- cough or hoarseness
- dark urine
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- fever with or without chills
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- headache
- itching
- joint or muscle pain
- light-colored stools
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- nausea
- pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- rash
- red irritated eyes
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- swollen or painful glands
- tightness in the chest
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- vomiting of blood
- wheezing
- yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known- Abdominal or stomach tenderness
- back, leg, or stomach pains
- bleeding gums
- blindness or vision changes
- blisters, hives, or itching
- bloating
- blood in the urine or stools
- bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, painful, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- burning of the face or mouth
- chest pain
- cloudy urine
- confusion
- constipation
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- convulsions
- cracks in the skin
- decreased frequency or amount of urine
- diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
- difficulty with breathing
- difficulty with swallowing
- fainting spells
- general body swelling
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- hair loss
- hearing loss
- hives
- increased blood pressure
- increased thirst
- indigestion
- irregular heartbeat
- large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- loss of heat from the body
- muscle or joint pain
- nosebleeds
- not able to pass urine
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- pain or burning while urinating
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- raised red swellings on the skin, the buttocks, legs, or ankles
- redness of the white part of the eyes
- redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- soreness of the muscles
- stiff neck or back
- swelling of the face, hands, legs, and feet
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- unusual weight loss
- weakness in the hands or feet
- weakness or heaviness of the legs
- weight gain
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More commonIncidence not known- Discouragement
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- feeling sad or empty
- increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
- irritability
- lack of feeling or emotion
- loss of interest or pleasure
- nervousness
- redness or other discoloration of the skin
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- sensation of spinning
- severe sunburn
- sleeplessness
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- unable to sleep
- uncaring
- weight loss
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Bactrim side effects (in more detail)
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More Bactrim resources
- Bactrim Side Effects (in more detail)
- Bactrim Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Bactrim Drug Interactions
- Bactrim Support Group
- 78 Reviews for Bactrim - Add your own review/rating
- Bactrim Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Bactrim Consumer Overview
- Bactrim MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Bactrim DS Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Cotrim Consumer Overview
- Septra Consumer Overview
- Septra Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Sulfatrim Suspension MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
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