SULFAMETHOXAZOLE

Brand & Generic Names

Apo-Sulfamethoxazole	SMZ-TMP
Apo-Sulfatrim	Sulfamethoprim
Bactrim	Sulfamethoprim DS
Bactrim DS	Sulfaprim
Bethaprim	Sulfaprim DS
Cheragan w/TMP	Sulfatrim
Cotrim	Sulfatrim DS
Cotrim D.S.	Sulfoxaprim
Co-trimoxazole	Sulfoxaprim DS
Gantanol	Sulmeprim
Gantanol DS	Triazole
Novotrimel	Triazole DS
Protrin	Trimeth-Sulfa
Roubac	Trisulfam
Septra	Uroplus DS
Septra DS	Uroplus SS

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• 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.
Liquid--Shake carefully before measuring.

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, nausea, vomiting, 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, weakness, tiredness.

Rare:

Painful urination; low back pain; numbness, tingling, burning feeling in feet and hands, 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 or 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	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.
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.