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About your treatment

Bactrim, an antibacterial combination drug, is prescribed for the treatment of certain urinary tract infections, severe middle ear infections in children, long-lasting or frequently recurring bronchitis in adults that has increased in seriousness, inflammation of the intestine due to a severe bacterial infection, and travelers' diarrhea in adults. Bactrim is also prescribed for the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and for prevention of this type of pneumonia in people with weakened immune systems. Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how your infection and symptoms respond to the medication.

Precautions

Before administering Bactrim and trimethoprim,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Bactrim, trimethoprim, any other sulfa drug, diuretics ('water pills'), oral diabetes medications, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, particularly anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diabetes medications, diuretics ('water pills'), medications for seizures such as phenytoin (Dilantin), methotrexate (Folex, Rheumatrex), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism and if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, asthma, severe allergies, anemia, or a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disease).
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Bactrim and trimethoprim, call your doctor.

Administering your medication

Before you administer Bactrim and trimethoprim, look at the solution closely. It should be clear and free of floating material. Gently squeeze the bag or observe the solution container to make sure there are no leaks. Do not use the solution if it is discolored, if it contains particles, or if the bag or container leaks. Use a new solution, but show the damaged one to your health care provider.
It is important that you use your medication exactly as directed. Do not stop your therapy on your own for any reason because your infection could worsen and result in hospitalization. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Your health care provider may tell you to stop your infusion if you have a mechanical problem (such as a blockage in the tubing, needle, or catheter); if you have to stop an infusion, call your health care provider immediately so your therapy can continue.

What side effects can Bactrim cause?

Although side effects from Bactrim and trimethoprim are not common, they can occur. Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness or loss of balance
• loss of appetite
• upset stomach

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:

• sore throat
• difficulty breathing
• fever
• headache
• joint or muscle aches
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• swelling of the lips or tongue
• swallowing problems
• skin rash or skin changes
• tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• weakness
• paleness
• cough
• diarrhea

Storing your medication

Your health care provider will probably teach you how to prepare each dose of Bactrim and trimethoprim. Since the medication is stable for only a short time after preparation, prepare your daily doses as directed by your health care provider.

Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand what you need to store your medication properly.

Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidental injury.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1212. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Signs of infection

You should be aware of the symptoms of infection in case your infection worsens or a new infection develops. If you notice any of the following symptoms, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:

• fever
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• chills
• shaking
• nighttime sweating
• loss of appetite

If you are receiving Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in your vein or under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of a catheter-related infection (an infection where the needle enters your vein or skin). If you experience any of these effects near your intravenous catheter, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:

• tenderness
• warmth
• irritation
• drainage
• redness
• swelling
• pain