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What is Cotrim
 Sulfamethoxazole
and trimethoprim are both antibiotics that treat different
types of bacterial infections. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim
fight bacteria in your body.
Cotrim
is used to treat infections such as urinary tract infections,
bronchitis, ear infections (otitis), traveler's diarrhea,
and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
Cotrim
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Cotrim
Take all of the Cotrim 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 Cotrim
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 Cotrim, or you may require
a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above.
Cotrim is
in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not
known whether Cotrim 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 Cotrim without
first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Cotrim 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.
Cotrim is
not approved for use in children younger than 2 months of
age.
How should take Cotrim 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 Cotrim 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
Cotrim 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 Cotrim 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 Cotrim overdose include nausea, vomiting, decreased
appetite, diarrhea, headache, yellowing of the skin or eyes,
decreased urine production, bloody urine, and coma.
Avoid while taking Cotrim Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Cotrim 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 Cotrim Stop taking Cotrim 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 Cotrim Cotrim 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.
Cotrim
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.
Cotrim 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 Cotrim.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines. |
