Bactrim

Generic name: sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

Brand names: Bactrim, Bactrim DS
Drug class: Sulfonamides

Dosage form: Tablet
Root of administraton: Oral
Dose:

• Bactrim DS tablets (containing 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim)
• Bactrim tablets (containing 400 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 80 mg of trimethoprim)

Mechanism of action: Bactrim contains a combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are are both antibiotics that treat different types of infection caused by bacteria.
Drug usage cases: Bactrim is a prescription medicine used to treat ear infections, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, traveler’s diarrhea, shigellosis, and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia.
Drug contra indications:

You should not use Bactrim if you are allergic to sulfamethoxazole or trimethoprim, or if you have:

• severe liver disease;
• kidney disease that is not being treated or monitored;
• anemia (low red blood cells) caused by folic acid deficiency;
• a history of low blood platelets after taking trimethoprim or any sulfa drug; or
• if you take dofetilide.

Side effects:

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);
• any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• yellowing of your skin or eyes;
• a seizure;
• new or unusual joint pain;
• increased or decreased urination;
• swelling, bruising, or irritation around the IV needle;
• increased thirst, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;
• new or worsening cough, fever, trouble breathing;
• high blood potassium – nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;
• low blood sodium – headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or
• low blood cell counts – fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Warnings: You should not use Bactrim if you have severe liver disease, kidney disease that is not being monitored, anemia caused by folic acid deficiency, if you take dofetilide, or if you have had low platelets caused by using trimethoprim or a sulfa drug.
Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: You should not take Bactrim if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.