sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, Bactrim, Septra
GENERIC NAMES: Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; cotrimoxazole
BRAND NAMES: Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Bactrim is a combination of two synthetic (man-made) antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Both drugs reduce the ability of some bacteria to utilize folic acid for growing. Sulfamethoxazole is an anti-bacterial sulfonamide, a "sulfa" drug. It disrupts the production of dihydrofolic acid while trimethoprim disrupts the production of tetrahydrofolic acid. Dihydrofolic acid and tetrahydrofolic acid are forms of folic acid that bacteria and human cells use for producing proteins. Trimethoprim inhibits production of tetrahydrofolic acid by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for making tetrahydrofolic acid from dihydrofolic acid. By combining both drugs, two important steps required in the production of bacterial proteins are interrupted, and the combination is more effective than either drug alone. Bactrim was approved by the FDA in 1973.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 160 mg trimethoprim and 800 mg sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS, Septra DS); 80 mg trimethoprim and 400 mg sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim; Septra).
STORAGE: The tablets should be kept at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is used for treating infections due to susceptible bacteria. Examples include urinary tract infections, flares of chromic bronchitis due to bacteria, middle ear infections, for prevention of infections due to pneumococcus in organ transplant recipients, for the treatment or prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, chancroid, and prevention of toxoplasma encephalitis in patients with AIDS.
DOSING: The recommended adult dose for urinary tract infections is one double strength tablet (Bactrim DS, Septra DS) or two single strength tablets every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days.
Flares of chronic bronchitis are treated with a similar regimen for 14 days.
Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim should be taken with 6 to 8 ounces of liquid to prevent crystals from forming in the urine. Persons with advanced kidney disease may require lower doses.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim can enhance the blood-thinning effects of warfarin (Coumadin), possibly leading to bleeding. Sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole can increase the metabolism (break-down and elimination) of cyclosporine (causing loss of effectiveness of cyclosporine), and can add to the kidney damage caused by cyclosporine.
All sulfonamides can crystallize in urine when the urine is acidic. Since methenamine (Hiprex, Urex, Mandelamine) causes acidic urine, it should not be used with sulfonamides.
Blood levels of phenytoin (Dilantin) may be increased by treatment with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. This may lead to side effects associated with phenytoin (Dilantin, Dilantin-125) such as dizziness, and reduced attention. S
ulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim also may increase blood levels of digoxin (Lanoxin) and possibly lead to serious toxic effects. Anemia, due to a reduction in folic acid, can occur in persons receiving sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim in combination with divalproex, valproic acid (Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depacon, Stavzor), methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), pyrimethamine, triamterene, or trimetrexate. Increased blood levels of potassium may occur when sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is combined with ACE inhibitors.
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