Bactrim

Co-trimoxazole



(coe try mox' a zole)

Bactrim® (as a combination product containing Sulfamethoxazole, Trimethoprim)
Bactrim® DS (as a combination product containing Sulfamethoxazole, Trimethoprim)
Septra® (as a combination product containing Sulfamethoxazole, Trimethoprim)
Septra® DS (as a combination product containing Sulfamethoxazole, Trimethoprim)
Septra® Suspension (as a combination product containing Sulfamethoxazole, Trimethoprim)¶
Sulfatrim® Suspension (as a combination product containing Sulfamethoxazole, Trimethoprim)

Co-trimoxazole is used to treat certain bacterial infections, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), bronchitis (infection of the tubes leading to the lungs), and infections of the urinary tract, ears, and intestines. It also is used to treat 'travelers' diarrhea. Co-trimoxazole is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole and is in a class of medications called sulfonamides. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics will not kill viruses that can cause colds, flu, or other viral infections.

Co-trimoxazole comes as a tablet and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It usually is taken two times a day but may be taken up to four times a day when used to treat certain severe lung infections. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take co-trimoxazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with co-trimoxazole. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
Take co-trimoxazole until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking co-trimoxazole without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking co-trimoxazole too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Before receiving co-trimoxazole injection,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, benzyl alcohol, any other sulfa drugs, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in co-trimoxazole injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amantadine (Symmetrel), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); oral medications for diabetes; digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); diuretics ('water pills'); indomethacin (Indocin); leucovorin (Fusilev); methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); pyrimethamine (Daraprim); and tricyclic antidepressants (mood elevators) such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had thrombocytopenia (less than normal number of platelets) caused by taking sulfonamides or trimethoprim or megaloblastic anemia (abnormal red blood cells) caused by folate deficiency (low blood levels of folic acid). Your doctor may tell you not to use co-trimoxazole injection.

tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, if you have malabsorption syndrome (problems absorbing food), or are taking medication to treat seizures. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, low levels of folic acid in the body, severe allergies, a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disease), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent mental retardation), porphyria (an inherited blood disease that may cause skin or nervous system problems), or thyroid, liver, or kidney disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using co-trimoxazole injection, call your doctor immediately. Co-trimoxazole can harm the fetus.

plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Co-trimoxazole injection may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Drink plenty of fluids during your treatment with co-trimoxazole injection.

Co-trimoxazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:



nausea

vomiting

loss of appetite

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:



rash

itching

sore throat

fever or chills

severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)

shortness of breath

cough

unusual bruising or bleeding

yellowing of the skin or eyes

paleness

red or purple skin discolorations

joint or muscle pain
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to co-trimoxazole injection.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving co-trimoxazole injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.