This
page is from a collection of materials
indexed at this website arising from an
investigation and campaign by Brian Deer in The Sunday
Times of London over serious risks and
side-effects from this antibiotic,
marketed under many names, including Bactrim,
Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS, Septrin,
Sulfatrim, SMZ/TMP, Septran and co-trimoxazole.
Go to side-effects
homepage
Below is information on side-effects
given by PDRhealth, a service of
the authoritative Physician's Desk
Reference. You can read personal stories
about the risks of drugs containing
trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole in letters to The Sunday
Times and in emails to this website.
If you have personal experiences, you are
welcome to share them, to inform and
support others. If this website helps
you, or a loved one, please consider
making a donation to keep it going
BACTRIM/BACTRIM
DS
Bactrim
is the same as Septra and other branded
and generic products containing
sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. In its
entry on Bactrim, PDRhealth
says "the most important fact"
about the drug is its risks.
Sulfamethoxazole, an
ingredient in Bactrim,
is one of a group of drugs called
sulfonamides, which prevent the
growth of bacteria in the body. Rare
but sometimes fatal reactions have
occurred with use of sulfonamides.
These reactions include
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe
eruptions around the mouth, anus, or
eyes), progressive disintegration of
the outer layer of the skin, sudden
and severe liver damage, a severe
blood disorder (agranulocytosis), and
a lack of red and white blood cells
because of a bone marrow disorder.
PDRhealth
advises Bactrim users to
notify your doctor "at the first
sign of an adverse reaction such as skin
rash, sore throat, fever, joint pain,
cough, shortness of breath, abnormal skin
paleness, reddish or purplish skin spots,
or yellowing of the skin or whites of the
eyes." It says that "frequent
blood counts by a doctor are recommended
for patients taking sulfonamide
drugs."
Side effects cannot be
anticipated. If any develop or change
in intensity, inform your doctor as
soon as possible. Only your doctor
can determine if it is safe for you
to continue taking Bactrim.
More common side effects may include:
Hives, lack or loss of appetite,
nausea, skin rash, vomiting. Less
common or rare side effects may
include: Abdominal pain, allergic
reactions, anemia, chills,
convulsions, depression, diarrhea,
eye irritation, fatigue, fever,
hallucinations, headache, hepatitis,
inability to fall or stay asleep,
inability to urinate, increased
urination, inflammation of heart
muscle, inflammation of the mouth
and/or tongue, itching, joint pain,
kidney failure, lack of feeling or
concern, lack of muscle coordination,
loss of appetite, low blood sugar,
meningitis (inflammation of the brain
or spinal cord), muscle pain, nausea,
nervousness, red, raised rash,
redness and swelling of the tongue,
ringing in the ears, scaling of dead
skin due to inflammation, sensitivity
to light, severe skin welts or
swelling, skin eruptions, skin
peeling, vertigo, weakness, yellowing
of eyes and skin.
PDRhealth
advises that Bactrim
should not be prescribed to anyone who is
sensitive to or has ever had an allergic
reaction to the drug's components, or
other sulfa drugs. Advise your doctor of
any drug reactions you have experienced.
Unless you are directed
to do so by your doctor, do not take
this medication if you have been
diagnosed as having megaloblastic
anemia, which is a blood disorder due
to a deficiency of folic acid. This
drug should not be given to infants
less than 2 months of age. Bactrim is
not recommended for preventative or
prolonged use in middle ear
infections and should not be used in
the treatment of streptococcal
pharyngitis (strep throat) or certain
other strep infections. You should
not take Bactrim if
you are pregnant or nursing a baby.
Make sure your doctor knows if you
have impaired kidney or liver
function, have a folic acid
deficiency, are a chronic alcoholic,
are taking anticonvulsants, have been
diagnosed as having malabsorption
syndrome (abnormal intestinal
absorption), are in a state of poor
nutrition, or have severe allergies
or bronchial asthma. Bactrim
should be used cautiously under these
conditions.
If you develop severe diarrhea, call
your doctor. This drug can cause a
serious intestinal inflammation.
Bactrim
may also interact with many other
medications.
You
can find more technical details on
side-effects under sulfamethoxazole at
this site
|