Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim is an antibiotic combination containing a sulfonamide antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.
Important safety information:
Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious and sometimes fatal form of diarrhea may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. 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 Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim 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.
Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
Long-term or repeated use of Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim 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.
A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems have happened in patients taking Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, or stomach pain; unusual tiredness; yellowing of skin or eyes).
Serious and sometimes fatal blood problems may happen. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop fever, chills, or sore throat; joint pain; pale skin; unusual bruising or bleeding; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim may cause serious lung problems. Tell your doctor right away if you develop a cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
Patients taking Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim to treat a certain type of pneumonia should avoid taking leucovorin. It may decrease sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim's effectiveness. Talk with your doctor if you are taking leucovorin.
Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
Some of these products contain sulfites. Sulfites may cause an allergic reaction in some patients (eg, asthma patients). If you have ever had an allergic reaction to sulfites, ask your pharmacist if your product has sulfites in it.
Diabetes patients - Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim.
Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, blood potassium levels, and kidney function, may be performed while you use Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
Use Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially severe skin reactions, bone marrow problems, or high blood potassium levels.
Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 2 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim has benzyl alcohol in it. Do not use it in NEWBORNS or INFANTS. It may cause serious and sometimes fatal nervous system problems and other side effects.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim may cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim while you are pregnant. Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim side effects
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; mild diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody or black, tarry stools; change in the amount of urine produced; confusion; decreased urination; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; joint or muscle pain; lower back or flank pain; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; painful or stiff neck; purple patches under the skin; seizures; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe or persistent headache; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; severe stomach or back pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); stomach cramps; swelling or soreness of the mouth or tongue; symptoms of low blood sugar (eg, increased sweating, weakness, tremors, dizziness, fainting, drowsiness, headache, chills, fast heartbeat, vision changes, increased hunger); vaginal irritation or discharge; vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
Dailymed."Sulfamethoxazole: dailymed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the united states. dailymed is the official provider of fda label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailym... (accessed August 28, 2018).
Dailymed."Polymyxin b sulfate; trimethoprim sulfate: dailymed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the united states. dailymed is the official provider of fda label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailym... (accessed August 28, 2018).
Can Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim be stopped immediately or do I have to stop the consumption gradually to ween off?
In some cases, it always advisable to stop the intake of some medicines gradually because of the rebound effect of the medicine.
It's wise to get in touch with your doctor as a professional advice is needed in this case regarding your health, medications and further recommendation to give you a stable health condition.
Who should not take Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim?
Some medical conditions may interact with Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim. 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 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, certain blood problems (eg, anemia, porphyria), thyroid problems, asthma, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, or HIV infection
if you have low levels of folate in the blood or are at risk for low blood folate levels (eg, you have alcoholism, you are elderly, you do not absorb nutrients from food properly, you are in a poor nutritional state, you are taking medicine for seizures)
if you have a history of high blood potassium levels
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), or indomethacin because they may increase the risk of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim's side effects
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased
Dofetilide because the risk of its side effects, including severe irregular heartbeat, may be increased by Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim
Pyrimethamine because it is possible that a certain type of anemia may develop
Methenamine because certain urinary problems may occur
Amantadine, digoxin, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), methotrexate, sulfones (eg, dapsone), or oral medicine for diabetes (eg, glipizide, metformin, pioglitazone) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim
Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim
Cyclosporine because its effectiveness may be decreased and the risk of kidney side effects may be increased by Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim 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 should I take Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim?
Use Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
Do not use Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
To clear up your infection completely, use Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
If you miss a dose of Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim, use 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 use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim.
Can Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim be taken or consumed while pregnant?
Please visit your doctor for a recommendation as such case requires special attention.
Can Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim be taken for nursing mothers or during breastfeeding?
Kindly explain your state and condition to your doctor and seek medical advice from an expert.
Reviews
Following the study conducted by gmedication.com on Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim, the result is highlighted below. However, it must be clearly stated that the survey and result is based solely on the perception and impression of visitors and users of the website as well as consumers of Sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim. We, therefore, urge readers not to base their medical judgment strictly on the result of this study but on test/diagnosis duly conducted by a certified medical practitioners or physician.
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