Human life often gets affected because of bacterial infections every now and them. To treat them Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole antibiotic is widely used. Actually, Bactrim is a combination of two antibiotics i.e. it is a combination of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim in a ratio of 5:1 or 1:2. Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim are both antibiotics that treat different types of infection caused by bacteria.

Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole both block the production of folic acid a necessary chemical for both bacteria and humans and each is an effective antibiotic when used alone. Bactrim is supplied in tablets and in a liquid suspension also. However, it is used to treat infections of the urinary tract, middle ear, and respiratory tract i.e. bronchitis, bladder infection, travelers diarrhea, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with weak immune system etc.

However, before taking Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medication. However, Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Bactrim was approved by the FDA in 1973.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medication and also read the prescription label carefully.

However, take with a full glass of water. Drinking extra water will help to prevent some unwanted effects of sulfonamides. Remember, Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim combination should not be given to infants less than 2 months of age unless directed by the child’s doctor.

However, if you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician for the dosage.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately.

Some side effects that may go away during treatment include loss of appetite, stomach upset, vomiting or nausea. But if they continue or are bothersome, inform your doctor immediately and get treated accordingly.

Rarely this medicine can cause serious even fatal side effects such as a severe peeling skin rash known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and blood disorders like, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia or liver damage. Also inform your, if you experience unusual fatigue, persistent sore throat, skin rashes or blisters, fever yellowing eyes, abdominal pain, skin dark urine.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible, if you experience side effects like joint pain, cough, hives, shortness of breath, vaginal irritation, swelling of the tongue, unusual bruising, bleeding, discharge, paleness etc.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form.

The generic Bactrim can interact with Digoxin i.e. Lanoxin, Amantadine i.e. Symmetrel, Blood thinners such as Coumadin, Cyclosporine i.e. Neoral, Sandimmune etc., Seizure medications such as Dilantin, Indomethacin i.e. Indocin, Pyrimethamine i.e. Daraprim, Methotrexate i.e. Rheumatrex, Oral diabetes medications such as Micronase and Glucotrol, Water pills i.e. diuretics such as HydroDIURIL, Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil, Norpramin, Sinequan, and Tofranil etc.

However, Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole may also interact with some of the foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other medications etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately.

Remember, it is very important to inform your doctor, if you have impaired kidney or liver function, have a folic acid deficiency, are a chronic alcoholic, are taking anticonvulsants, have been diagnosed as having mal absorption syndrome i.e. abnormal intestinal absorption, are in a state of poor nutrition, or have severe allergies or bronchial asthma.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you miss the dose of the generic Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medicine, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double your doses in any case and consult your doctor for the missed dosage. If you are taking two doses a day and have to take a missed dose, make sure there is at least 5 to 6 hours between doses. And if you are taking one dose a day and have to take a missed dose, make sure there is at least 10 to 12 hours between doses.

The generic Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medication is used to treat urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections for prevention of infections due to pneumococcus in transplant recipients for the treatment or prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia chancroid and prevention of toxoplasma encephalitis in patients with AIDS.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medication.

Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole tablets should be stored at room temperature in between 15-30°C and 59-86°F in a cool and dry place. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. In any case, do not store the Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole tablets in the bathroom. Do not freeze in any case.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole:

1. Remember, it is very important to inform your doctor, if you have impaired kidney or liver function, have a folic acid deficiency, are a chronic alcoholic, are taking anticonvulsants, have been diagnosed as having mal absorption syndrome i.e. abnormal intestinal absorption, are in a state of poor nutrition, or have severe allergies or bronchial asthma.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course as this drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Remember, to drink several glasses of water a day, which will indeed help to reduce possible kidney problems.

9. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Bactrim i.e. Sulfamethoxazole.