Cotrimoxazole is a combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in a ratio of 5:1 or 1:2. Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole both block the production of folic acid, a necessary chemical for both bacteria and humans, and each is an effective antibiotic when used alone. For more information on the individual drugs, please visit their respective sites in the Pharmacy section.
Use Bactrim as directed by your doctor.
Take Bactrim by mouth with or without food.
Bactrim works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
Take Bactrim with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Drink several extra glasses of water a day unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
To clear up your infection completely, take Bactrim for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Bactrim.
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Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects
persist or become bothersome:
appetite loss; nausea; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects
occur:
severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing;
tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue);
blistered, peeling, red, or swollen skin; bloody or black, tarry
stools; chest pain; chills, fever, or sore throat; decreased urination;
depression; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; joint or muscle
pain; painful or stiff neck; purple patches under the skin; seizures;
severe diarrhea; severe or persistent cough; severe or persistent
headache; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; shortness of
breath; stomach cramps/pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual
tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin; vaginal irritation or
discharge; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
The effects of the sulfonamide class of antibiotics, including sulfamethoxazole, on the fetus have not been adequately studied. Physicians may elect to use cotrimoxazole if its benefits are deemed to outweigh potential risks. On the other hand, use of sulfonamides near term (that is, by the ninth month) may cause bilirubin to be displaced from proteins in the infant's blood. Displacement of bilirubin can lead to jaundice and a dangerous condition called kernicterus in the infant. For this reason, cotrimoxazole should not be used near term in pregnant women.
The amount of a single dose of Bactrim that is either associated with symptoms of overdosage or is likely to be life-threatening has not been reported. Signs and symptoms of overdosage reported with sulfonamides include anorexia, colic, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, drowsiness and unconsciousness. Pyrexia, hematuria and crystalluria may be noted. Blood dyscrasias and jaundice are potential late manifestations of overdosage.
Signs of acute overdosage with trimethoprim include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, mental depression, confusion and bone marrow depression.
General principles of treatment include the institution of gastric lavage or emesis, forcing oral fluids, and the administration of intravenous fluids if urine output is low and renal function is normal. Acidification of the urine will increase renal elimination of trimethoprim. The patient should be monitored with blood counts and appropriate blood chemistries, including electrolytes. If a significant blood dyscrasia or jaundice occurs, specific therapy should be instituted for these complications. Peritoneal dialysis is not effective and hemodialysis is only moderately effective in eliminating sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.