Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (By injection)
sul-fa-meth-OX-a-zole, trye-METH-oh-prim
Treats severe infections caused by bacteria (germs). This medicine is a “sulfa drug” (sulfonamide).
Drug classes
Sulfonamide Combination (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination is used to treat intestinal or urinary tract infections. It is also used to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), a very serious kind of pneumonia. This type of pneumonia occurs more commonly in patients whose immune systems are not working normally, such as cancer patients, transplant patients, and patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination is an antibiotic. It works by eliminating the bacteria that cause many kinds of infections. This medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.
Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
If a dose is missed:
You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. Throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using methotrexate (Rheumatrex®), diuretics or “water pills” (such as hydrochlorothiazide, Aldactazide®, Diuril®, Dyazide®, Enduron®, Maxzide®, Zaroxolyn®).
Tell your doctor if you are also using medicine for seizures (such as Depakote®, Dilantin®, Keppra™, Luminal®, Tegretol®).
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, or any sulfa drug. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or breast feeding. You should not use this medicine if you have anemia (a problem with your blood) caused by not having enough folic acid in your body. This medicine should not be given to infants under 2 months of age.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you have HIV or AIDS, liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, epilepsy (seizures), or G6PD (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency), or if you drink large amounts of alcohol.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
Very rarely, this medicine has caused severe side effects. If you start to have a skin rash, or if you think you are having a severe reaction, stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away. Symptoms of a severe reaction include a sore throat, fever, muscle pain, cough, and trouble breathing. Other symptoms are a skin rash, or the color of your skin turning very pale or yellow, or having purple spots.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
Diarrhea.
Fever, sore throat, pale skin, body aches.
Loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion.
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Depression, nervousness.
Irritation or swelling of your skin where the needle is placed.
Trouble sleeping.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
PremierPro Rx Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
