ADVOCATE PHARMACY

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Bactrim is a combination antibiotic which is generically prescribed as sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Bactrim is also commonly prescribed as Bethaprim, Cotrim, Septa, Sulfatrim, and Uroplus, each with a pediatric version as well. Bactrim is typically used in the treatment of bacterial infections such as bronchitis, urinary tract infections, traveler’s diarrhea, ear infections, or Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Bactrim is not appropriate for everyone and it is vital that the prescribing physician understand a patient’s medical history prior to prescribing this medication. Bactrim is not appropriate for patients with liver disease, kidney disease, or glucose-6 phosphate deficiency. Patients with these diseases or conditions in their medical history may not be able to tolerate Bactrim or may require special monitoring while undergoing drug therapy with this medication, depending on the condition and its severity.

The American Food and Drug Administration rated Bactrim as a category C pregnancy risk, which means that it has yet to be determined what impact Bactrim may have on a developing fetus. Bactrim does deplete the body of folic acid, and the lack of folic acid in a pregnant woman’s body may cause birth defects. Bactrim passes through the mother’s breast milk and is likely to affect a nursing baby. Women who are pregnant must consider whether the benefits outweigh the risks before taking Bactrim and women who are nursing should avoid Bactrim altogether.

There is a risk of side effects associated with the use of Bactrim. Serious side effects and allergic reaction will require medical assessment and intervention. Allergic reactions include symptoms like facial swelling, difficulty breathing, and hives. Other serious side effects may include symptoms like yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, easy bruising, and easy bleeding. A patient experiencing these symptoms may be having a detrimental organ reaction.

Of course less serious side effects are much more common and are likely to include symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of interest in food, headaches, and an increased sensitivity to the sun. If a patient develops these or other side effects, typically they simply require alerting the prescribing physician.

Bactrim should be taken only as prescribed. Patients who take a double dose of this medication or take doses too close together are risking an overdose. If a dose of Bactrim is missed, the dose should be taken when remembered unless it is close to the next dose in which case the missed dose can be skipped. An overdose requires immediate emergency medical assessment. An overdose of Bactrim is likely to present with symptoms which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, loss of appetite, jaundice, difficulty in producing urine, bloody urine, coma, and death.

Bactrim is known to have interactions with other medications. Patients taking Bactrim or any other medication should always consult with the prescribing physician before adding any new medications, over the counter or prescription, to their daily regimen. This includes herbal remedies and vitamin supplements. Medications with known interactions to Bactrim include blood thinners, diabetes medication, phenytoin, and additional antibiotics.

Bactrim needs to be taken for as long as it has been prescribed, as stopping too early may invite the infection to return stronger and more difficult to treat. Patients should not stop taking this medication even if their symptoms clear up.