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What is Bactrim
 Bactrim
is an antibiotic that treat different types of bacterial infections.
Bactrim fight bacteria in your body.
Bactrim
is used to treat infections such as urinary tract infections,
bronchitis, ear infections (otitis), traveler's diarrhea,
and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
Bactrim
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Bactrim
Take all of the Bactrim that has been prescribed
for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms
may start to improve before the infection is completely
treated.
Who should not take Bactrim Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney or liver disease, or
- a
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency).
You may not be able to take Bactrim, or you may require
a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above.
Bactrim
is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is
not known whether Bactrim will harm an unborn baby. This
medication affects folic acid in your body, which is necessary
for the normal development of a baby. Do not take Bactrim
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Bactrim passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing
baby. Do not take this medication without first talking
to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Bactrim is not approved for use in children younger than
2 months of age.
How should take Bactrim Take this drug exactly as directed by your physician.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Take Bactrim with
food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
You may crush
the tablets and put them in water or a soft food like applesauce
or pudding if you cannot swallow them whole.
To ensure
that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of
Bactrim with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not
with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring
device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Shake
the suspension well before measuring a dose.
Take
all of the Bactrim that has been prescribed for you even
if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to
improve before the infections is completely treated.
Store the tablets and liquid at room temperature away from
moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you
missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise
directed by your doctor.
If you have only missed
one dose, you can take the rest of your scheduled doses
for that day at evenly spaced intervals.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Bactrim overdose include nausea, vomiting, decreased
appetite, diarrhea, headache, yellowing of the skin or eyes,
decreased urine production, bloody urine, and coma.
Avoid while taking Bactrim Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Bactrim may
increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a
sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to
the sun is unavoidable.
Possible side effects of Bactrim Stop taking Bactrim and seek emergency medical attention
if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing
of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face;
or hives);
- unusual bleeding or bruising; or
-
yellow skin or eyes.
Other, less serious side effects
may be more likely to occur. Continue to take your medication
and talk to your doctor if you experience
- headache,
fatigue, or dizziness;
- nausea, vomiting, decreased
appetite, or diarrhea;
- weakness; or
- increased
sensitivity to the sun.
Side effects other than those
listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Bactrim Bactrim may increase the effects of oral anticoagulants
such as warfarin (Coumadin) and lead to bleeding. Tell your
doctor if you are taking a blood thinner.
Bactrim
may also increase the effects of drugs used to treat diabetes,
such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Glynase, Micronase,
Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolbutamide (Orinase),
and tolazamide (Tolinase). Very low blood sugar levels may
result. Watch for changes in your blood sugar if you are
a diabetic.
Bactrim may increase the effects of phenytoin
(Dilantin) and lead to dangerous side effects. Watch for
unusual side effects during treatment.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Bactrim.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines. |
