Brand & Generic Names
Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? No
- Drug class: Sulfa (sulfonamide)
Uses
Treatment for urinary tract infections responsive to this drug.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. Instructions to take on empty
stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
When to take:
At the same times each day, evenly spaced.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours
late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't
double this dose).
What drug does:
Interferes with a nutrient (folic acid) necessary for growth and
reproduction of bacteria. Will not attack viruses.
Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 5 days to affect infection.
Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Less urine, bloody urine, coma.
WHAT TO DO:
- Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
- See EMERGENCY Information.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
In case of overdose, see Overdose section.
Common:
- Itchy skin, rash.
- Headache, vomiting,
nausea, diarrhea,
appetite loss, skin
sensitive to sun.
Infrequent:
- Red, peeling or
blistering skin;
sore throat; fever;
swallowing difficulty;
unusual bruising;
aching joints or
muscles; jaundice.
- Dizziness, tiredness,
weakness.
Rare:
Painful urination, low
back pain, numbness
or tingling in hands or
feet, bloody urine, neck
swelling.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
You are allergic to any sulfa drug.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you are allergic to carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, oral
antidiabetics, thiazide or loop diuretics.
- If you are allergic by nature.
- If you have liver or kidney disease.
- If you have porphyria.
- If you have developed anemia from use of any drug.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and
severe than in younger persons.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until
you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining
milk supply.
Infants & children:
Don't give to infants younger than 1 month.
Prolonged use:
- May enlarge thyroid gland.
- You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs
not responsive to this drug.
- Request frequent blood counts, liver and kidney-function
studies.
Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or
sunlamp.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel dizzy. Otherwise, no problems expected.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete
prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
Others:
- Drink 2 quarts of liquid each day to prevent adverse
reactions.
- If you require surgery, tell anesthetist you take sulfa.
Pentothal anesthesia should not be used.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
GENERIC NAME |
COMBINED EFFECT |
| |
------------------------ |
----------------------- |
Aminobenzoates |
Possible decreased sulfa effect. |
Anticoagulants*, |
Increased anticoagulant effect. |
| |
Anticonvulsants*, |
Toxic effect on brain. |
| |
| |
Aspirin |
Increased sulfa effect. |
Calcium supplements* |
Decreased sulfa effect. |
Clozapine |
Toxic effect on the central nervous |
|
system. |
Hepatotoxic agents* |
Increased liver toxicity. |
Isoniazid |
Possible anemia. |
Mecamylamine |
Decreased antibiotic effect. |
Methenamine |
Possible kidney blockage. |
Methotrexate |
Increased methotrexate effect. |
Oxyphenbutazone |
Increased sulfa effect. |
Para-aminosalicylic |
Decreased sulfa effect. |
| |
Penicillins* |
Decreased penicillin effect. |
Phenylbutazone |
Increased sulfa effect. |
Probenecid |
Increased sulfa effect. |
Sulfinpyrazone |
Increased sulfa effect. |
Sulfonureas* |
May increase hypoglycemic action. |
Tiopronin |
Increased risk of toxicity to |
|
kidneys. |
Trimethoprim |
Increased sulfa effect. |
Zidovudine |
Increased risk of toxic effects of |
|
zidovudine. |
Possible Interaction with Other Substances
INTERACTS WITH |
COMBINED EFFECT |
--------------- |
--------------- |
Alcohol: |
Increased alcohol effect. |
| |
| |
Less than 2 quarts |
Kidney damage. |
| |
| |
Cocaine: |
None expected. |
| |
Foods: |
None expected. |
| |
Marijuana: |
None expected. |
| |
Tobacco: |
None expected. |
|