Sometimes when you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe a medication to give you intravenously, right? One such medication is called Sulfamethoxazole; Trimethoprim. This is actually a combination of two medications. It is used only to treat infections caused by bacteria. Keep in mind, this will not cure viral illnesses like the common cold or the flu. Let's talk more about this medication, shall we?
What are the things I need to tell the doctor before starting this medication?
Before you start taking this medicine, it is important to tell your doctor or nurse if you have any of these conditions. This is so they can decide whether it is appropriate for you to take this medicine or if there is anything you need to be careful about.
Here are those things:
- If you have a condition called G6PD deficiency .
- If you have HIV or AIDS .
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have low platelets in your blood.
- If you have low red blood cell counts (that is, if you have anemia).
- If you don't eat properly , it means your body isn't getting the nutrients it needs (Poor nutrition).
- If you have stomach or intestinal problems, for example, a condition like colitis .
- If you have thyroid disease .
- If you have had an allergic reaction to sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, other sulfa drugs, other medications, foods, food dyes, or preservatives, or if you have had any unusual reactions.
- If you are currently pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
It is very important to say these things, because otherwise you may have other problems with this medicine.
How can I give you this medicine?
This medicine is usually given as an infusion into a vein . It is usually given to you in a hospital or clinic. It is given by a doctor or a trained nurse.
However, very rarely , some people may need to take this medicine at home. If this happens, you will be taught exactly how to prepare this medicine and how to give it into your vein. You must do it exactly as you are told. Take your medicine at the right time, in the right amount. Do not take more than your doctor tells you to, or take it more often.
If you are using this vaccine at home, do not just throw used needles and syringes in the trash. They should be placed in a special container (sharps container) provided. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacy or medical team for one. This is very important for the environment and the safety of others.
Can this medicine be given to small children?
Yes, in some special cases, this medicine can be given to children as young as two months old. However, the doctor decides about it. There are some things to be careful about when giving this medicine to children. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to a child, talk to the doctor carefully and find out the details.
What happens if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or the nearest emergency room immediately. Don't waste time.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share this medicine with others, even if they have the same illness as you.
What do I do if I miss a dose of medication?
It is very important not to miss the scheduled appointment for this medication. If you are unable to go to the hospital or clinic on time, call your medical team and let them know.
If you are taking this medicine at home, if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Just take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take double or extra doses to make up for a missed dose.
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
There are some medications, such as sulfamethoxazole; that can cause problems when taken together with trimethoprim. That is, the effectiveness of this medication may be affected, or the side effects may increase.
Never take this medicine with sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim:
- Dofetilide
Also, this medicine may interact with the following medications. So tell your doctor if you are taking any of these:
- Amantadine
- Birth control pills
- Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease
- Some medications for depression, for example, amitriptyline
- Some medications for diabetes, such as Glipizide or Glyburide
- Some medications that prevent or treat blood clots, for example, warfarin
- Cyclosporine
- Digoxin
- Diuretics – medicines that remove water from the body
- Indomethacin
- Methotrexate
- Phenytoin
- Procainamide
- Pyrimethamine
- Zidovudine
This list does not include all possible interactions. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take (prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal medicines, vitamins, and nutritional supplements). Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. Some things can interact with your medicine.
What should I consider when taking this medicine?
- If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, tell your doctor or nurse.
- If you have diarrhea , do not self-treat with over-the-counter medications. If you have diarrhea for more than two days, or if it is very watery and accompanied by a fever, call your medical team immediately.
- This medicine can sometimes cause serious skin reactions . These can happen weeks after you start taking the medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you get a rash with a fever or flu-like symptoms. These rashes may turn red or purple, then blister and peel. Or you may have a red rash with swelling of the face or lips, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits. If you experience any of these symptoms, it can be serious, so seek medical advice right away.
- This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun . Therefore, limit your exposure to the sun as much as possible. If you must go out in the sun, wear clothing that covers your body well and apply sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
- Be careful when brushing your teeth, flossing, or using toothpicks. This is because your gums may bleed easily and become infected while taking this medicine. If you are having any dental work done, tell your dentist that you are taking this medicine.
What side effects might I experience from this medication?
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are not so serious.
If you experience any of these side effects, tell your doctor or medical team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions: Skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Aplastic anemia: Feeling unusually tired, feeling light-headed, feeling dizzy, headache, difficulty breathing, easy bruising or increased bleeding, fever, chills, cough, or sore throat.
- Dry cough, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath.
- High potassium level in the blood: Muscle weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat.
- Liver injury: Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and unusual weakness.
- Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia): shakiness, nervousness, sweating, cold or clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, fast heartbeat.
- Low sodium level in the blood: Muscle weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion.
- Skin rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or peeling of the skin (including the skin inside the mouth).
- Severe diarrhea, fever.
- Small, pus-filled blisters on the skin.
- Women may experience unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or a foul odor.
These side effects usually do not require medical attention (but tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome):
- Appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
This list does not include all possible side effects. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
How should I store this medicine?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.
Most of the time, this medicine is given to you at a hospital or clinic, so you don't have to take it home and keep it.
However, if you rarely need to use this medicine at home, you will be advised on how to store it safely. Do not use expired medicines. Throw them away.
Final Take-Home Message
This leaflet is a summary only. It may not contain all the information. If you have any further questions about this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider.
Simply put, Sulfamethoxazole; Trimethoprim is an important antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. However, there are some things to be careful about when using it. It is very important to tell your doctor about other illnesses you have, other medications you are taking, take the medication exactly as prescribed, and be aware of side effects. Never use medication on your own or give it to others. Always follow your doctor's instructions. Then you can get well soon and avoid unnecessary problems.
` Sulfamethoxazole, Trimethoprim, antibiotics, bacterial infections, intravenous drugs, side effects, drug interactions
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