Bactrim (Cotrimoxazole)

• Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are antibiotics that treat various infections caused by bacteria.
• A combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are used for the treatment of ear infections, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
• Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim can also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Generic Name: Cotrimoxazole or also known as Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim

Bactrim is Available As: Bactrim 960 mg (Sulphamethoxazole 800mg + Trimethoprim 160mg), Bactrim 480 mg (Sulphamethoxazole 400 mg + Trimethoprim 80 mg) in tablets form.

• Do not use this medication if you are allergic to sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have anemia (deficiency of red blood cells), which is caused by a deficiency of folic acid.
• If you have certain conditions, you may need doses or special tests to safely use this medicine. Before using sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, tell your doctor if you have:
• kidney or liver disease
• A lack of folic acid
• asthma or severe allergies
• AIDS
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency), or
• if you are malnourished
• FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to the fetus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during treatment.
• Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without a doctor consultations, if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Do not let this child drugs to less than 2 months old.
• In older adults may be more likely to have side effects while using this medicine.

• Take this medication is completely determined length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection has completely cleared up.
• Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim does not treat viral infections such as flu, or influenza.
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent kidney stones when you take trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole.
• Keep the tablets and liquid at room temperature away from moisture, heat and light.
• Take this medication exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
• Do not take it in larger quantities or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions given by your physician or doctor.
• If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

• Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat.
• Call your doctor immediately if you have a serious adverse effect, such as:
• fever, sore throat and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and a red rash
• the first sign of anything rash, no matter how mild
• pale skin and easy bruising or bleeding
• cough, the feeling is the shortness of breath
• diarrhea, which is a watery or bloody
• feeling restless or irritable, confusion, hallucinations, seizures
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, severe tingling, numbness, muscle pain or weakness
• nausea, abdominal 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?

• mild itching or a rash
• painful or swollen language
• vertigo, dizziness
• ringing in your ears
• pain in the joints, or
• sleep disturbances (insomnia)
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor of any unusual or difficult side effect.

• seizure of drugs such as phenytoin (Dilantin)
• a diuretic (water pill)
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• methotrexate (Trexall, Rheumatrex), or
• ACE-inhibitors, such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace ), Or trandolapril (Mavik)
• This list is not complete and may be other drugs that can interact with sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.
• Tell your doctor of all your prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, minerals, herbal products and drugs than other doctors.
• Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

• Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody it, contact your doctor.
• Do not use any medicine to stop diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).
• Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn can lead to.
• Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing, if you are in the sun.

• Seek emergency medical attention if you suspect that you have used too much to take the medicine.
• Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and headache, jaundice, skin or eyes, blood in the urine, fever, confusion, or fainting.

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not take extra medicine dosage form.

• The following warnings are available for this medication:
• Take plenty of water.
• Finish the prescription medicine.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight.