Bactrim is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (both of them are popular antibiotics that are used in the treating of several types of bacterial infections). This drug has proven to be very useful in the treatment of bronchitis, Urinary Tract Infections, traveler’s diarrhea, otitis (ear infections), and Pneumocystis carinii (a type of Pneumonia).
Bactrim Indications
Bactrim is a popular drug that has been successfully prescribed to patients who were suffering from otitis, Urinary Tract Infections, traveler’s diarrhea, some types of pneumonia, etc. However, this medicine can also be prescribed to treat other disorders that have not been listed here.
Bactrim Warnings

Before you start taking Bactrim you must alert your doctor of you are suffering from any of the conditions listed below:
kidney or liver disorders
a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (also known as G6PD deficiency).

If you have any of these medical conditions you might not bee allowed to start a treatment with this drug or you may need to take in a lower dose of it. Your doctor might also want to monitor your treatment with this medicine, to see how your body reacts to the treatment.

Bactrim is a category C FDA pregnancy drug. Therefore it has not been clearly established whether the intake of this medicine during pregnancy could harm an unborn child. However, a treatment with this drug is known to affect the folic acid in the patient’s body, (this acid is absolutely necessary for the normal growth and development of a fetus). You must ask your doctor if you may start a treatment with this medicine if you are pregnant or if you are planning to be so soon. It is known that Bactrim can and does pass into breast milk. A treatment with this drug could harm a nursing child. You should ask your physician if it is safe to take this drug if you are breastfeeding an infant.

This drug is not suitable for children under 2 months old. You must not stop your treatment with this medicine even if you start to feel better after w few days of treatment. Ask your physician if it is safe to stop your intake of Bactrim. During your treatment with this medicine you should avoid exposure to direct sunlight (this is because this medicine is known to increase the skin’s sensitivity to direct sunlight).
Bactrim Intake Guidelines

Ask your doctor to tell you how, when and how much Bactrim you should take on a regular basis. You must take this drug exactly how your doctor told you to. You must try to avoid taking double doses of this medicine without your personal physician’s consent. You should accompany each dose of this medicine with a full glass of water, with food or milk (in order to avoid stomach upset). If you cannot swallow a whole tablet (pill) of Bactrim, you may crush or chew it (you can also put it in water or in a soft food – such as pudding or applesauce). In order to make sure that you take in the correct amount of this medicine (the one that your doctor has prescribed you) you should measure the dose that you are about to take in with a measuring device (a measuring spoon or a measuring cup). Such devices can be bought from a local pharmacy.
Bactrim Dosage
Your personal physician should calculate the dose of Bactrim that works best in your case.

If you suspect that you are suffering from an overdose with this drug, you are probably in need of emergency medical attention / care. Therefore, you should alert your local poison control center as soon as you can (if it is possible, you should take your drug container with you). Inform your personal physician of this. The average Bactrim overdose symptoms are vomiting, nausea, decreased appetite, headaches, diarrhea, yellowing of the eyes or of the skin, bloody urine, coma, decreased urine production, etc.

What side effects may I notice from receiving sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim?
Elderly patients, and AIDS patients being treated for Pneumocystis carinii, are more likely to get serious side effects from SMX-TMP.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•anemia or other blood disorders
•allergic reactions
•bluish fingernails or lips
•difficulty breathing
•fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain
•fever or chills, sore throat
•increased sensitivity to the sun or ultraviolet light
•joint aches or pains
•lower back pain
•muscle aches or pains
•pain or difficulty passing urine
•redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
•skin rash, hives, or itching
•unusual bleeding or bruising
•unusual weakness or tiredness
•yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•diarrhea
•dizziness
•headache
•loss of appetite
•nausea, vomiting

What should I watch for while taking sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days.

You may get dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.

Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

Drink several glasses of water a day. This will help to reduce possible kidney problems.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.