What is Bactrim?
Bactrim includes a mix of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are two antibiotics that treat different kinds of infections caused by bacteria. Bactrim is a prescribed medicine for treating respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, travelers' diarrhea, shigellosis, and Pneumocystis Jiroveci pneumonia.
To aid in reducing the development of drug-resistant bacteria and to maintain its effectiveness. Bactrim This medication is only used for treating infections that have been confirmed or are strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria that are susceptible to infection.
Warnings
It is not recommended to take Bactrim if you suffer from severe kidney disease, liver disease that isn't being treated, anemia that is caused by folic acid deficiency, dofetilide, low platelets caused by the use of trimethoprim, or a sulfa-based drug. It is not recommended to consume Bactrim if you are breastfeeding or pregnant.
Utilize Bactrim only in the manner prescribed. Inform your doctor if you take other medications or suffer from any other medical issues as well as allergic reactions.
Before you take this drug
It is not recommended to use Bactrim if you have an allergy to trimethoprim or sulfamethoxazole or if you suffer from
- Serious liver diseases.
- kidney disease that isn't being monitored or treated.
- Anemia (low number of red blood cells) results from folic acid deficiency.
- A history of blood platelets being low following the use of trimethoprim or any other sulfa-containing drug.
- If you are taking dofetilide.
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim can create birth defects. Don't use Bactrim if you are expecting. Consult your physician when you are pregnant.
Bactrim is not to be administered to children who are less than 2 months old.
To ensure you are able to safely use Bactrim, consult your physician if you've had:
- The liver or kidneys are infected.
- A folate (folic acid) insufficiency.
- Asthma or severe allergies.
- HIV or AIDS.
- A thyroid disorder.
- Malnourishment.
- Alcoholism.
- An electrolyte imbalance (such as low sodium levels in the blood or potassium deficiency).
- Porphyria or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
- If you are using blood thinners (such as warfarin) and you've had regular "INR" or prothrombin time tests.
How to take Bactrim?
You should take Bactrim exactly as directed by your physician. Follow all instructions on your prescription label and review all medication guides and instruction sheets.Take plenty of fluids in order to prevent kidney stones.Antibiotic medications can trigger the development of diarrhea. Inform your doctor if you are experiencing diarrhea that is watery or bloody.Keep trying Bactrim even if your symptoms improve. Dosing too much could cause your illness to become immune to medications. Bactrim cannot treat a viral disease (the flu or a regular cold).
There is a possibility that you will require blood and urine tests. This medication could be stopped, according to the results.Keep Bactrim in a cool, dry place, far from heat, humidity, and light. Don't refrigerate.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medication as quickly as you are able, but do not miss any doses if you are nearing the time to take the next dose. Do not take two doses at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222. The symptoms of an overdose can include nausea, vomiting, fever, bloody urine, yellowing of the skin and eyes, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
What should be avoided?
Bactrim can make you more susceptible to sunburn. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. Protect yourself with protective clothes and sunblock (SPF 30 or more) whenever you're outside.
Side Effects of Bactrim
See a doctor immediately when you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergy reaction to Bactrim (hives and cough, chest pain, breath shortness, and swelling of your throat or face) or severe skin reactions (fever and sore throat, eye burning, ache, and red or purple skin itching, blistering, and peeling).
Get medical attention in the event of a severe drug reaction that could affect the body in a variety of ways. Symptoms may include the following: a skin rash and fever; swelling of glands, joints, and muscle aches; extreme fatigue or abnormal bruising; pale skin; or redness of your eyes or skin.
Contact your doctor immediately for:
- Extreme stomach discomfort; diarrhea that is bloody or watery (even when it happens months after the previous dose).
- Any itchy skin rash, no matter how slight.
- The skin's color or eyes.
- A seizure.
- A new or unusual joint ache.
- Increased or decreased urination.
- Swelling or bruising in the area of an IV needle.
- Dry mouth, thirsty mouth, odor of fruity breath.
- New or worsening cough; difficulty breathing; fever.
- High blood potassium levels cause nausea and weakness, tingling in the chest, irregular heartbeats, and loss of movement.
- Lower blood sodium Low blood sodium, headaches and confusion, problems with memory or thinking, weakness, unsteadiness.
- Lower blood-cell counts (fever, chills) , oral sores and skin rashes, easy bleeding, unusually pale skin on feet and hands, and a sensation of lightheadedness or sluggishness.
Common Bactrim adverse effects could include:
- Nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite.
- The skin's itchy rash.
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
You might require regular check-ups or medical tests if you use medication to treat depression, diabetes, seizures, or HIV.
Inform your doctor about your current medications. Certain drugs can be incompatible with trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazo, in particular:
- Amantadine, digoxin, cyclosporine, indomethacin, leucovorin, methotrexate, procainamide, and pyrimethamine;
- A "ACE inhibitor" heart or blood pressure medicine (benazepril, enalapril, quinapril, lisinopril, and many others); or
- Diuretic, also known as a "water pill".
This list isn't complete, and a variety of other medications could be incompatible with trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazo. This includes both over-the-counter and prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal products. The interactions of all drugs are listed here.
