Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim, Oral/Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: sulfonamide (anti-infective)

Generic and brand names: sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, injection; sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, oral; cotrimoxazole, oral; Bactrim; Bactrim DS; Bactrim I.V. Infusion; Cotrim; Cotrim DS; SMZ/TMP; Septra; Septra DS; Septra Grape Suspension; Septra I.V. Infusion; Sulfatrim; Sulfatrim Suspension; Sulfatrim Pediatric; Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim DS; TMP/SMZ

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat or prevent bacterial infections. It will not cure viral infections such as colds or the flu.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before you take this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergy to any medicines
• asthma or severe allergies
• a blood disorder such as anemia or G6PD
• kidney or liver disease.

Females of childbearing age: Birth control pills may be less effective while you are taking this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine is not usually given to women in their last 3 months of pregnancy because it can harm the baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes for the length of time prescribed, even if you feel better. It is best to take doses at evenly spaced times day and night to keep a steady amount in your body.

Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Your healthcare provider may want you to drink more liquids while you are taking this medicine to help prevent some of its side effects.

This medicine comes in several forms. If you have the liquid form of this medicine, shake it well before taking the medicine. Use a specially marked measuring spoon to measure each dose. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

This medicine may also be given by injection (shots) by your healthcare provider if your infection is severe or complicated.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause diarrhea. Severe bloody diarrhea may be a sign of a life-threatening condition called pseudomembranous colitis. If you develop diarrhea while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not take medicine to treat diarrhea without your provider's approval.

Do not take this medicine for other infections unless your healthcare provider approves.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use sunscreen that contains PABA. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away. This reaction may occur even after you stop taking the medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away): Bloody urine; weakness; sore throat; fever; yellowing of your eyes and skin; muscle or joint pain; reddish or purplish skin spots or peeling of the skin.

Other: Headache, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to the sun, paleness, unusual tiredness or weakness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• amantadine (Symmetrel)
• antiseizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), and phenobarbital
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• dapsone
• dofetilide (Tikosyn)
• herbal products such as dong quai and St. John's wort
• medicines for diabetes such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase, Micronase), tolazamide (Tolinase), and tolbutamide
• methenamine (Mandelamine)
• methotrexate
• methyldopa (Aldomet)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• sunscreens containing PABA
• thiazide diuretics such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, Oretic), benzthiazide (Exna), hydroflumethiazide (Diucardin, Saluron), and methyclothiazide
• warfarin (Coumadin).

Birth control pills may be less effective while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider if you need birth control.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.