Sulfamethoxazole; Trimethoprim, SMX-TMP injection

What is sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim injection?
SULFAMETHOXAZOLE; TRIMETHOPRIM or SMX-TMP (Septrareg;, Co-Trimoxazole and others) is a combination of two antibiotics. The injection is used to treat severe infections of the urinary tract, infection of the intestines, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in AIDS or cancer patients. A generic injection is available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•anemia or other blood disorders
•high blood levels of potassium
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•porphyria
•glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
•an unusual or allergic reaction to sulfamethoxazole or other sulfa antibiotics, trimethoprim, other sulfa drugs, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?
Co-trimoxazole is for slow infusion into a vein.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with co-trimoxazole?
•amiloride
•cyclosporine
•dapsone
•digoxin
•divalproex
•dofetilide
•medicines for diabetes
•methenamine
•methotrexate
•metronidazole
•phenytoin
•potassium salts (potassium chloride, potassium phosphate)
•procainamide
•pyrimethamine
•rifampin
•some medicines used to treat blood pressure and/or heart failure (ACE inhibitors such as benazepril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, quinapril, ramipril, and others)
•spironolactone
•sulfinpyrazone
•tolbutamide
•triamterene
•trimetrexate
•valproic acid
•warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving co-trimoxazole?
Elderly patients, and AIDS patients being treated for Pneumocystis carinii, are more likely to get serious side effects from co-trimoxazole.
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
•pain, swelling and irritation at the injection site
•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 co-trimoxazole?
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 co-trimoxazole 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.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F); do not refrigerate. Protect from light and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

 

NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.