Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim

SULFAMETH/TRIMETHOPRIM 800/160 TABS

Ingredient Name: SULFAMETHOXAZOLE (sul-fa-meth-OX-a-zole) and TRIMETHOPRIM (trye-METH-oh-prim)

Drug Manufacturer: LANNETT

Common Uses: This medicine is an antibiotic combination used to treat or prevent infections caused by certain bacteria.

Before Using This Medicine: Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking dofetilide or methenamine. PATIENTS TAKING THIS MEDICINE to treat a certain type of pneumonia should avoid taking leucovorin. It may decrease this medicine's effectiveness. Talk with your doctor if you are taking leucovorin. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking amantadine, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cyclosporine, digoxin, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), indomethacin, methotrexate, pyrimethamine, sulfones (eg, dapsone), tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), or oral medicine for diabetes (eg, glipizide). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including liver or kidney problems, certain blood problems (eg, anemia, porphyria), thyroid problems, asthma, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, HIV infection, a history of high blood potassium levels, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have low levels of folate in the blood or are at risk for low blood folate levels (eg, you have alcoholism, you are elderly, you do not absorb nutrients from food properly, you are in a poor nutritional state, you are taking medicine for seizures). USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have anemia caused by low levels of folate in the blood, liver damage, or severe kidney problems, or if you are pregnant or are breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of low blood platelet levels (immune thrombocytopenia) caused by trimethoprim or a sulfa medicine. Use of this medicine in CHILDREN younger than 2 months old is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

How to Use This Medicine: Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take this medicine by mouth with or without food. Take this medicine with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking this medicine is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep in a tight, light-resistant container. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and away from pets. THIS MEDICINE WORKS BEST if it is taken at the same time(s) each day. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU ARE using this medicine to prevent an infection, continue to take it even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Cautions: DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine or to any other sulfonamide (sulfa) medicine (eg, glipizide, hydrochlorothiazide). If you have a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine or if a certain medicine is a sulfonamide, contact your doctor or pharmacist. LABORATORY AND/OR MEDICAL TESTS may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun or sunlamps until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. MILD DIARRHEA IS COMMON with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do NOT treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. BE SURE TO USE THIS MEDICINE for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future. THIS MEDICINE ONLY WORKS AGAINST BACTERIA; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold). LONG-TERM OR REPEATED USE of this medicine may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this. SEVERE AND RARELY FATAL REACTIONS have occurred in patients taking sulfonamides, such as sulfamethoxazole (a component of this medicine). Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a rash; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; fever, chills, or sore throat; new or worsening cough; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusual bruising or bleeding; or symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite). BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. DO NOT RECEIVE A LIVE VACCINE (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. FOR WOMEN: DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOTBREAST-FEED while taking this medicine. DIABETES PATIENTS: This medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Possible Side Effects: SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include appetite loss, mild diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody or black, tarry stools; chest pain; confusion; decreased urination; hallucinations; fever, chills, or sore throat; irregular heartbeat; joint or muscle pain; lower back or flank pain; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); new or worsening cough; painful or stiff neck; purple patches under the skin; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; severe or persistent headache; severe stomach or back pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); shortness of breath; stomach cramps; swelling or soreness of the mouth or tongue; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, stomach pain, persistent loss of appetite); symptoms of low blood sugar (eg, increased sweating, weakness, tremors, dizziness, fainting, drowsiness, headache, chills, fast heartbeat, vision changes, increased hunger); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin; or vaginal irritation or discharge. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; or unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Overdose: IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include blood in urine; confusion; depression; dizziness; drowsiness; fever, chills, or sore throat; loss of consciousness; severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; severe or persistent headache or loss of appetite; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. IF YOU WILL BE USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.

Copyright 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Disclaimer - This information is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. Be sure to contact your physician, pharmacist or other health care provider for more information about this medication. By searching these web site pages, you agree to our terms and conditions of use.