Bactrim what is it used for

This medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination in children 2 months of age and older. Because of the toxicity of the combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, use in infants younger than 2 months of age is not recommended. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination in the elderly.

However, elderly patients are more likely to have a folate deficiency, age-related kidney or liver problems, and may be more likely to experience unwanted side effects eg, severe skin rash, increased potassium in the body, or problems with blood clotting or the immune system.

There may be an adjustment in the dose for elderly patients receiving sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination. Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.

In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you.

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:.

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination is best taken with a full glass 8 ounces of water.

Several additional glasses of water should be taken every day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Drinking extra water will help to prevent some unwanted effects eg, crystals in the urine.

For patients taking the oral liquid, use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. Even if you feel better, you must finish the treatment to ensure a full recovery. Bactrim DS Tablet can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, headache, and other side effects. It is recommended that you eat a safe balanced diet and drink plenty of water to prevent any harmful side effects. Contact your doctor right away if any of the side effects escalate.

Every allergic reaction rashes, itching, swelling, shortness of breath, etc. If you have any liver or kidney issues, you should tell your doctor before taking this drug. Often, let the doctor know if you're taking any medications for a health problem. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should seek medical advice before taking it. Alcohol should be avoided when taking this drug because it can cause extreme dizziness.

It normally does not affect your ability to drive, but if it makes you tired or dizzy, you should not drive. If you have a suspected allergy to the drug, you should not use it and should contact your doctor. For the medication to function properly, it is recommended that you get plenty of rest during your care. It's used to treat a number of different bacterial infections such as middle ear, urine, respiratory, and intestinal infections.

It's also used to treat and avoid a specific form of pneumonia pneumocystis-type. Due to the possibility of severe side effects, this drug should not be given to children under the age of two months. Only some forms of infections are treated with this drug. It is ineffective against viral infections such as flu.

Any antibiotic's efficacy can be compromised if it is used or misused inappropriately. How to use Follow your doctor's instructions about the dosage and length of this medication. Take it all in at once. It should not be chewed, crushed, or broken. Bactrim DS Tablet should be taken with a meal.

Bactrim DS Tablet dosage may need to be adjusted. Please seek medical advice. Bactrim DS Tablet should not be used for patients who have serious kidney disease. Bactrim DS Tablet should not be used for patients who have serious liver disease. Pregnancy: Bactrim DS Tablet should not be used during pregnancy because there is ample evidence that it has a dangerous effect on the unborn child.

However, in certain circumstances where the benefits outweigh the risks, the doctor can prescribe it. According to human tests, the medication does not transfer into the breastmilk in large amounts and does not affect the infant. There's a risk the baby could grow a rash. If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, let your doctor know. Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre telephone 13 11 26 for advice or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Bactrim even, if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

If you take too much Bactrim, you may feel sick or vomit, feel dizzy, depressed or confused or have a headache. You may also feel drowsy or become unconscious. Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.

If you are taking Bactrim for a long time, visit your doctor regularly so your progress can be checked. Contact your doctor immediately if you get severe diarrhoea , even if it develops several weeks after stopping Bactrim.

Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor. Do not take any other medicines whether they require a prescription or not without first telling your doctor or consulting with a pharmacist. Sometimes use of this medicine allows other bacteria and fungi which are not sensitive to Bactrim to grow. If other infections such as thrush occur while you are taking Bactrim, tell your doctor. If you take the tablets out of the blister pack or the oral suspension out of the bottle before it is time to take them, they may not keep well.

A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines. If your doctor tells you to stop taking Bactrim, or the tablets or oral suspension has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.

Bactrim is a Prescription Only S4 medicine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Bactrim. Bactrim helps most people with susceptible infections but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. Very rarely, people have died from complications due to certain severe skin, liver or blood reactions.

Elderly people, people with liver or kidney disease and people taking certain other medicines are more at risk of these severe reactions. This is not a complete list of all possible side effects.

Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list. View more information about myVMC. Please be aware that we do not give advice on your individual medical condition, if you want advice please see your treating physician.

Parenting information is available at Parenthub. Are you a Health Professional? Jump over to the doctors only platform. Click Here. Bactrim is used to treat bacterial infections in different parts of the body. Your doctor may have prescribed Bactrim for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions why Bactrim has been prescribed for you. Action: How Bactrim works Bactrim works by stopping the growth of the bacteria causing the infection.

Dose advice: How to use Bactrim Before you take Bactrim When you must not take it Do not take Bactrim if: You have had an allergic reaction to sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, any other sulfonamide, or any of the ingredients listed here.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include: Skin rash ; Peeling of the skin; Itching or hives; Swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing; Wheezing or shortness of breath.

You have severe liver or kidney disease, any blood disorder or megaloblastic anaemia ; The child you are treating is less than 3 months of age; You have streptococcal pharyngitis; The package is torn or shows signs of tampering; You are taking dofetilide, a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeats; The expiry date EXP printed on the pack has passed.

If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well. If you are not sure if you should be taking Bactrim, talk to your doctor. Before you start to take it Your doctor must know about all the following before you can start to take Bactrim. Tell your doctor if: You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. If Bactrim is taken late in pregnancy, it may harm the baby. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Bactrim during pregnancy.

You are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. Bactrim passes into breast milk. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Bactrim while breast-feeding; You have any other health problems including: an allergic reaction to any diuretic fluid tablet or medicines for diabetes or overactive thyroid. This may increase your chances of an allergic reaction to Bactrim; Any type of blood disorder including porphyria and glucosephosphate dehydrogenase deficiency ; Kidney or liver disease A hereditary disorder called phenylketonuria ; Epilepsy fits or convulsions ; Asthma ; Allergic disorders; Rheumatoid arthritis ; Urinary obstruction; Folic acid deficiency; You are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.

Taking other medicines Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines including any that you have bought from a pharmacy, supermarket or healthfood shop.