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
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
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