Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS, SMZ-TMP DS, Sulfatrim Pediatric

Generic Name: sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Pronunciation: SUL fa meth OX a zole and trye METH oh prim)

• What is sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS, SMZ-TMP DS, Sulfatrim Pediatric)?
• What are the possible side effects of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim?
• What is the most important information I should know about sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim?
• How should I take sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim?
• What other drugs will affect sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim?
• Where can I get more information?

What is sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS, SMZ-TMP DS, Sulfatrim Pediatric)?

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are both antibiotics that treat different types of infection caused by bacteria.

The combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is used to treat ear infections, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

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

SMZ-TMP DS-MUT

elliptical, white, imprinted with MP 85

Sulfamethoxazole-TMP DS-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with 93 089

Sulfamethoxazole-TMP SS-TEV

round, white, imprinted with 93 088

Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim 400 mg-80 mg-URL

round, white, imprinted with MP 81

Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim DS-EON

oval, white, imprinted with E 112

What are the possible side effects of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
• cough, feeling short of breath;
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• feeling restless or irritable, confusion, hallucinations, seizure;
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, severe tingling, numbness, muscle pain or weakness;
• nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

• painful or swollen tongue;
• dizziness, spinning sensation;
• ringing in your ears;
• joint pain; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

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.

What is the most important information I should know about sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to sulfamethoxazole or trimethoprim, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have anemia (lack of red blood cells) caused by folic acid deficiency.

Before using sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, a folic acid deficiency, asthma or severe allergies, AIDS, a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency), or if you are malnourished.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. This medication can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) when you are outdoors.