Bactrim

Bactrim is a combination medicine.

Bactrim is made of a sulfonamide antibiotic and a second antibiotic, trimethoprim.

It is important that you drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication in order to prevent sediment in the urine and the formation of stones.

Bactrim works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. Take Bactrim exactly as prescribed; try not to miss any doses. It is best to take doses at evenly spaced times day and night.

Elderly patients, and AIDS patients being treated for Pneumocystis carinii, are more likely to get serious side effects from SMX-TMP.

•anemia or other blood disorders
•allergic reactions
•bluish fingernails or lips
•difficulty breathing
•fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain
•fever or chills, sore throat
•increased sensitivity to the sun or ultraviolet light
•joint aches or pains
•lower back pain
•muscle aches or pains
•pain or difficulty passing urine
•redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
•skin rash, hives, or itching
•unusual bleeding or bruising
•unusual weakness or tiredness
•yellowing of the eyes or skin

Other 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. However, check with your doctor if any of the side effects continue or are bothersome.

Bactrim may even cause Stevens – Johnson syndrome (severe eruptions around the mouth, anus or eyes).

Bactrim may even cause progressive disintegration of the outer layer of the skin.

Bactrim may even cause Emesis (Vomiting).

Bactrim may even cause Bilirubin (A yellow – orange compound produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells).

Bactrim may even cause Agranulocytosis (A severe blood disorder).

Bactrim may even cause a deficiency of red and white blood cells due to a bone marrow disorder.

Bactrim may even cause the patient loss of appetite.

Bactrim may even cause Pancreatitis (Inflammation of the pancreas).

Bactrim may even cause Nausea.

Bactrim may even cause Hallucinations.

Bactrim may even cause Seizures.

Bactrim may even cause Leukopenia (Lower than the normal amount of white blood cells).

Bactrim may even cause Stomach pain.

Bactrim may even cause Clay – colored stools.

Bactrim may even cause Rhabdomyolysis (A condition in which skeletal muscle cells break down, releasing Myoglobin – Myoglobin is toxic to the kidneys).

Bactrim may even cause Insomnia.

Bactrim may even cause Tinnitus (Ringing in the ears).

Bactrim may even cause a feeling of Apathy.

Bactrim may even cause Diuresis (An increased formation of urine by the kidney).

Bactrim may even cause Goiter.

Bactrim may even cause Sepsis (A serious medical condition caused by infection).

Bactrim may even cause Myelotoxicity (Bone marrow suppression).

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

•amiloride
•cyclosporine
•dapsone
•digoxin
•divalproex
•dofetilide
•doxercalciferol
•medicines for diabetes
•methenamine
•methotrexate
•metronidazole
•phenytoin
•potassium salts (potassium chloride, potassium phosphate)
•procainamide
•pyrimethamine
•rifampin
•some medicines used to treat blood pressure and/or heart failure (ACE inhibitors such as benazepril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, quinapril, ramipril, and others)
•spironolactone
•sulfinpyrazone
•triamterene
•trimetrexate
•valproic acid
•warfarin

Bactrim may interact with Phenytoin (Dilantin).

Bactrim may interact with Captopril (Capoten).

Bactrim may interact with Fosinopril (Monopril).

Bactrim may interact with Perindopril (Aceon).

Bactrim may interact with Trandolapril (Mavik).

Bactrim may interact with Amantadine (Symmetrel).

Bactrim may interact with Coumadin (A Blood Thinner).

Bactrim may interact with Indomethacin (Indocin).

Bactrim may interact with Dilantin.

Bactrim may interact with Elavil.

Bactrim may interact with Norpramin.

Bactrim may interact with Sinequan.

Bactrim may interact with Tofranil.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Make sure your doctor knows if you have impaired kidney or liver function, have a folic acid deficiency, are a chronic alcoholic, are taking anticonvulsants, have been diagnosed as having malabsorption syndrome (abnormal intestinal absorption), are in a state of poor nutrition, or have severe allergies or bronchial asthma.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. If you are taking two doses a day and have to take a missed dose, make sure there is at least 5 to 6 hours between doses.

If you are taking one dose a day and have to take a missed dose, make sure there is at least 10 to 12 hours between doses.

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination is used to treat infections, such as bronchitis, middle ear infection, urinary tract infection, and traveler`s diarrhea.

It is also used for the prevention and treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). These medicines will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. They may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Bactrim is supplied in the form of tablets and a liquid suspension.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture.

Drink several glasses of water a day. This will help to reduce possible kidney problems. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days.

One must avoid using Bactrim (Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim) and inform their Health Care Professional if they are allergic to Sulfamethoxazole or Trimethoprim.

One must avoid using Bactrim and inform their Health Care Professional if they are pregnant.

One must avoid using Bactrim and inform their Health Care Professional if they are breast – feeding.

Bactrim may even pass into breast milk and harm the nursing baby.

One must avoid using Bactrim and inform their Health Care Professional if they have AIDS.

One must avoid using Bactrim and inform their Health Care Professional if they have a Glucose – 6 – Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency).

One must avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial ultra violet rays as Bactrim makes one’s skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Without consulting one’s Health Care Professional Bactrim must never be administered to a child younger than two months of age.

One must avoid using Bactrim and inform their Health Care Professional if they have been diagnosed with Megaloblastic Anemia (A deficiency of folic acid).

One must avoid using Bactrim for the treatment of Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat) and consult their Health Care Professional about the same.