BENEFITS:

Inflammation

Helps get active lesions under control while topical treatments kick in

Reduces acne located on the chest and back

Improves moderate-to-severe acne

SIDE EFFECTS:

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, mild itching and rash. Oral thrush or vaginal yeast infections can occur with prolonged use. Long-term use can also cause a decrease in blood cell counts. This drug may rarely cause a severe drug rash called Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. You should stop this medication immediately if you develop sores in the eyes, mouth or genital area or a severe rash. Allergic reaction to this medication is rare. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching/swelling (especially of face/tongue/throat), dizziness and trouble breathing. You should not use this medication if you have severe liver or kidney disease or anemia caused by folic acid deficiency. Women who are pregnant should not use this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Contact your dermatology provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

TARGETS:

• What is Bactrim used for?
  Sulfamethoxazole / Trimethoprim, the generic name for Bactrim DS,is a sulfonamide antibiotic used to treat different types of bacterial infection. It is commonly used to treat lung, skin, urinary tract infection, and traveler’s diarrhea.

• What are the most common side effects of Bactrim DS?
  Common side effects include increased sun sensitivity, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

• How should I take Bactrim?
  Usually Bactrim is taken twice daily with or without food.
  You should always remember to finish the entire course even if you start to feel better half way through treatment, this will make sure you receive the full effect of the antibiotic.

• Can Bactrim be taken on an empty stomach?
  Yes, you can take Bactrim DS with or without food. If you have a sensitive stomach make sure you eat food to prevent stomach upset.
  Also, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and increase urine output.

• How Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim works?
  Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is a combination of two antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole (a sulfonamide) and trimethoprim (antifolate). They work together to stop bacteria from being able to make folic acid, a nutrient that's important for bacterial growth and survival. By stopping bacteria from making folic acid, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim kills the bacteria.

• How long do side effects of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim last?
  It's not completely clear how long side effects from sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim will last. It generally depends on the specific side effect, but most tend to go away once you stop taking the medication. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to help prevent or ease certain side effects. For example, taking the antibiotic with food might help with nausea, but be sure to avoid greasy and spicy foods. You can also try eating smaller meals throughout the day. Drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhea as a side effect to prevent dehydration. This antibiotic can also make your skin more sensitive to light, so it's best to wear sunscreen to prevent sunburns. Ask a healthcare professional if you're having bothersome side effects from sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and you need tips on how to manage them.

• How long should you take sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim for a UTI?
  It depends on how severe your urinary tract infection (UTI) is. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is typically prescribed for 3 days for a mild UTI. But a more severe UTI, such as a UTI with a fever, requires antibiotic treatment for up to 2 weeks. Your prescriber will decide how long you should take sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim for. It's important to take the entire treatment course that you're prescribed to make sure your infection goes away completely.

• Does sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim make you tired?
  Tiredness isn't a common side effect of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, but it's possible. Also keep in mind that it's normal for your body to feel a little tired while it's fighting off an infection. But it's recommended to contact a healthcare professional right away if you notice severe fatigue after you start taking sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. This can be symptom of electrolyte changes from antibiotic treatment, and it should be treated right away.

• How long does it take for sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim to work?
  In general, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim starts to work quickly, but it also depends on what infection you have and how serious it is. For example, you should start to feel better as soon as 2 to 3 days after starting the antibiotic for a urinary tract infection (UTI). But it can take a few weeks to feel better if you have a more serious infection, like pneumonia. Even if you start feel better, it's important to take sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim exactly as prescribed and finish your treatment course. Stopping the antibiotic earlier than prescribed can make your infection come back and be harder to treat.

• Is sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim a sulfa drug?
  Yes, sulfamethoxazole is a sulfa drug. This means that sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim might not be a safe choice for you if you have a sulfa allergy. Your prescriber will decide to use this antibiotic to treat your infection based on what your reaction to sulfa was like. You still might get prescribed sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim if you had a mild rash or itchy skin when you took a medication with a sulfa ingredient; make sure to watch closely for allergic reactions when you take sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. But your prescriber might choose to use a different antibiotic to be safe if you had a severe reaction like facial swelling, closing of the throat, or anaphylaxis.

• Is sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim a penicillin?
  No, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim isn't a penicillin. It belongs to a different class of antibiotics. This means that you can safely take sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim if you have a penicillin allergy.

• What medications should not be taken with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim?
  The only medication that you shouldn't take with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is dofetilide (Tikosyn). This is because the antibiotic can raise the levels of dofetilide (Tikosyn) in the body, which can raise the risk for dangerous side effects like abnormal heart rhythms. Keep in mind that there are other medications that interact with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. But you can typically still take them with the antibiotic, as long as the dosage of your medications is adjusted or as long as your healthcare team is following up with you more often. Make sure to tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all of the medications you're taking. They can check for drug interactions with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.

• Can I drink alcohol while I'm taking sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim?
  It's best to avoid alcohol while you're taking sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Wait at least 2 days after you finish your treatment before you reach for an alcoholic beverage to enjoy. Alcohol can worsen side effects from the antibiotic, like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Though unclear, it's also possible that drinking alcohol with this antibiotic can lead to a disulfiram-like reaction, which could cause severe nausea and vomiting, shortness or breath, headache, and irregular heartbeat. Finally, alcohol can make it harder for you to recover from an infection. Speak with a healthcare professional about your drinking habits and ways to avoid alcohol while you're taking sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.