Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

Generic name: Sulfamethoxazole And Trimethoprim (oral/injection)
Drug class: Sulfonamides

Usage of Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is a combination antibiotic used to treat ear infections, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea, shigellosis, and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia.

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, joint pain, muscle aches, severe weakness, pale skin, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

any skin rash, no matter how mild;

yellowing of your skin or eyes;

a seizure;

new or unusual joint pain;

increased or decreased urination;

swelling, bruising, or irritation around the IV needle;

increased thirst, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;

new or worsening cough, fever, trouble breathing;

high blood potassium--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;

low blood sodium--headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or

low blood cell counts--fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Common side effects of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim may include:

nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite; or

skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

You should not use sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim if you are allergic to sulfamethoxazole or trimethoprim, or if you have:

severe liver disease;

kidney disease that is not being treated or monitored;

anemia (low red blood cells) caused by folic acid deficiency;

a history of low blood platelets after taking trimethoprim or any sulfa drug; or

if you take dofetilide.

May cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed.

This medicine should not be given to a child younger than 2 months old.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney or liver disease;

a folate (folic acid) deficiency;

asthma or severe allergies;

HIV or AIDS;

a thyroid disorder;

malnourishment;

alcoholism;

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low blood sodium or high potassium);

porphyria, or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency; or

if you use a blood thinner (such as warfarin) and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests.

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How to use Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim oral is taken by mouth.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid). Measure a dose with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection is given in a vein. Be sure you understand how to properly mix this medicine with a liquid (diluent) and how to store the mixture. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand how to use an injection.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Call your pharmacist if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it.

Mixed medicine must be used within 2 to 6 hours depending on the amount of diluent in the mixture. Follow your doctor's instructions. Do not refrigerate mixed medicine.

Do not reuse a needle or syringe. Place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent kidney stones.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim will not treat a viral infection (flu or a common cold).

You may need blood and urine tests, and this medicine may be stopped based on the results.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not refrigerate.

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What other drugs will affect Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

You may need more frequent check-ups or medical tests if you also use medicine to treat depression, diabetes, seizures, or HIV.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, especially:

amantadine, digoxin, cyclosporine, indomethacin, leucovorin, methotrexate, procainamide, pyrimethamine;

an "ACE inhibitor" heart or blood presure medication (Benazepril, enalapril, lisinopril, quinapril, ramipril, and others); or

a diuretic or "water pill".

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.