| Co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) |
| Trade Names: Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Cotrim, Septra, SMX-TMP, Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim, TMP-SMX, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole |
| Type of Drug: Co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) is an antibiotic of the sulfonamide group, commonly called a “sulfa drug.” |
| How Drug Works: Co-trimoxazole stops folic acid synthesis, which is needed for cell growth. This prevents bacteria from dividing (reproducing). This drug is active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and some protozoa. It is the first line treatment for P. carinii pneumonia. |
| How Drug Is Given: This medicine is given by mouth or as an injection in the vein. The pill should be taken with an 8 oz glass of water twice a day for 7 to 14 days as directed. The shot form is given 3 to 4 times a day for up to 21 days. The dose and number of doses depends upon your size and the type of infection being treated. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture and out of the reach of children and pets. |
| How Should I Take This Drug? Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you. |
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor. |
| Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals. |
| Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities? Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving. |
| Precautions: Tell your doctor if you have any allergies, especially to antibiotic drugs. If you have an allergy to sulfites, you should not take this drug. |
| All antibiotics can cause allergic reactions. Stop the drug and tell your doctor or nurse right away if you develop a rash, hives, red blotches on your skin, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. |
| Tell your doctor if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin), oral hypoglycemic agents (for diabetes mellitus), phenytoin (Dilantin), thiazide diuretics, cyclosporine, methotrexate, or vitamin C. Talk with your doctor about drug interactions. |
| Use of antibiotics can change the normal organisms in your body. Women are at risk of getting fungal infections. Tell your nurse or doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge. |
| Try to drink at least 2 to 3 quarts of fluid throughout the day. |
| Co-trimoxazole or trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Women should use a barrier contraceptive in addition to “the pill” during the course of antibiotic therapy. |
| This drug should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or by patients who have severe kidney disease. |
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
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Side Effects: |
More Common Side Effects
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Less Common Side Effects
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Rare Side Effects
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| Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug Call your doctor or nurse right away if you have a sore tongue or have irritation of the lining of the mouth. The doctor may add a vitamin (folinic acid) to decrease this side effect. Stop the drug and call your doctor or nurse right away if you develop a rash, fever, muscle aches, or blood in your urine. This can be a serious reaction and needs to be treated right away. |
| Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems. |
FDA Approval: Yes |