Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim What Drugs?

What is sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim for?

Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim is a combination of two types of antibiotics: sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. The combination of the two antibiotics is used to treat various kinds of bacterial infections, such as:

• middle ear infection (otitis media)
• urinary tract infection
• respiratory infections
• intestinal infections

The sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim combination is a medication that is also used to prevent and treat certain types of pneumonia.

Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim only treat certain types of infections and will not work for viral infections (such as flu). Unnecessary use or misuse of antibiotics can cause the performance of this drug to decline.

How should I take sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim?

This medication is available in oral form to be taken by mouth. If you are taking oral trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, take this medication as directed by your doctor, with a full glass of water.

If you have stomach upset, drink it with food or milk. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine to lower your risk of developing kidney stones, unless your doctor advises you otherwise.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug with a safe interval at each dose.

Use this medication for the prescribed time, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping antibiotic treatment too soon can trigger the bacteria to continue growing, and this can lead to a recurrence of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition shows no change or if it gets worse.

How to store this drug?

Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim is a drug that must be stored at room temperature, which is about 15-30 degrees Celsius. Keep away from damp conditions and direct exposure to sunlight.

Different brands of this drug may have different storage requirements. Check the product for instructions on how to store the medicine you are using, or ask your pharmacist. Store the medicine properly, keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

In what dosage is this drug available?

Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim is a drug that is available in the following forms:

• sulfamethoxazole 400mg trimethoprim 80mg tablets
• sulfamethoxazole 800mg trimethoprim 160mg tablets

What is the dose of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim for adults?

The following is the recommended sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim dosage for adults:

Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim dosage for the treatment of pneumonia

For the treatment of pneumonia, the recommended dose of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim usually depends on the patient's body weight. The standard daily dose is 75-100 mg of sulfamethoxazole per kilogram of the patient's body, and 15-20 mg of trimethoprim per kilogram of the patient's body.

The dose should be divided every 6 hours, for 14-21 days.

Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim dose for prevention of pneumonia

For prevention of pneumonia, the recommended dosage is usually 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim per day.

Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim dosage for the treatment of bronchitis, otitis media, and urinary tract infections

The recommended dosage for these conditions is sulfamethoxazole 800 mg and trimethoprim 160 mg every 12 hours, for 10-14 days.

What is the dosage of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim for children?

The following is the recommended sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim dosage for children:

Dosage for bacterial infections in children 2 months and over, and body weight under 40 kg

The dosage is based on body weight. The standard daily dose of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim is 40 mg of sulfamethoxazole per kilogram of the patient's body, as well as 8 mg of trimethoprim per kilogram of the patient's body.

The drug is given in two doses every 12 hours for 10 days.

Dosage for bacterial infections in children weighing over 40 kg

The standard dosage is sulfamethoxazole 800 mg and trimethoprim 160 mg every 12 hours, for 10-14 days.

Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim?

Just like drugs in general, this drug also has the potential to cause side effects. The following are the side effects of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim that are classified as severe:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• fever, chills, swollen glands, body aches, flu symptoms
• sores in the mouth and throat
• new or worsening cough
• pale skin, feeling dizzy, fast heart rate, difficulty concentrating
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots under your skin;
• severe tingling or numbness, slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness
• nausea, upper abdominal pain, hives, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• hallucinations, convulsions
• low blood sugar (headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, or feeling restless)
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild or
• skin reactions
• fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially on the face or upper body) and peels

The milder side effects of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim are:

• gag
• sore or swollen tongue
• dizziness, spinning sensation
• buzz in the ears
• feeling tired, problems with sleeping

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Cautions and Warnings Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim

What should be known before using sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim?

Before taking this drug, here are some things you need to pay attention to:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim or any other medications.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription or nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are taking or will be taking.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had certain health conditions or problems.
• Cotrimoxazole drugs, including sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim, should not be used in children younger than 2 months.
• Call your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight and wear protective clothing, goggles and sunscreen. Cotrimoxazole can make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Is this drug safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is in the risk of pregnancy category D (there is evidence of risk) according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Drug Interactions of Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim

What medicines may interact with sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

• drug ACE inhibitors (eg, enalapril), diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), or indomethacin because they increase the risk of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim side effects.
• blood-thinning drugs (eg warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may increase.
• dofetilide because it increases the risk of side effects in the form of an irregular heartbeat.
• pyrimethamine because it has the potential to trigger anemia.
• amantadine, digoxin, hydantoins (phenytoin), methotrexate, sulfone (dapsone), or drugs for diabetes (glipizide, metformin, pioglitazone) because they increase the risk of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim side effects.
• tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they decrease the performance of the drug sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim.
• cyclosporine because it reduces the performance of the drug sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim.

Can food or alcohol interact with sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

In addition, smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with this drug?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• alcohol abuse or dependence
• deficiency of folate (vitamin B9)
• HIV or AIDS
• Kidney illness
• liver disease
• malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing food in the body)
• malnutrition conditions (malnutrition)
• anemia, megaloblastic (caused by low levels of folic acid in the body)
• thrombocytopenia (low platelets in the blood)
• Kidney illness
• liver disease (liver)
• asthma
• diabetes
• hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood)
• hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood)
• porphyria (enzyme problem)
• severe allergies
• thyroid problems
• streptococcal infection (group A β-hemolytic)

Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.