Bactrim (Trimethoprim And Sulfamethoxazole)

What is Generic Bactrim?

It is a bi-component antimicrobial agent that includes Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim. A second ingredient stimulates the action of the first substance, inhibiting the conversion of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolic acid and it is responsible for the metabolism of proteins and cell division bacteria. Also the first one is similar in structure to para-aminobenzoic acid inhibits dihydrofolic acid biosynthesis in bacteria.

Trimethoprim is an antibiotic that acts bacteriostatically. Most often, it is used as a prophylactic treatment for illnesses of the urinary system. The substance inhibits the enzyme folate reductase activity and prevents the processes of formation of tetrahydrofolic acid. The medicament exhibits activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. After oral admission it is rapidly and almost completely absorbed. Large concentrations of a given compound can be detected in the urinary tract and lung tissues. The drug undergoes metabolism in the liver reactions. The substance is excreted in the urine through the kidneys.

It is active against nearly all groups of microorganisms - Gram-negative bacteria: Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Neisseria spp, Proteus vulgaris, Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia spp, Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium spp; Gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus spp. and others. There are also sensitive to the drug Chlamydia spp, Actinomyces spp, Klebsiella spp. Resistant for drug are: mycobacteria, viruses, most anaerobic bacteria.

In what kind of disease treatment Bactrim is helpful?

Doctors prescribe this drug in bacterial urinary tract infections caused by susceptible microorganisms to the action means.

Medications with these kind of active ingredients well help from cystitis, sore throats and even SARS.

Treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases:

• Respiratory tract infection;
• Otitis, sinusitis;
• Meningitis, brain abscess;
• Infections of the genitourinary system;
• Gonorrhea;
• Gastrointestinal infections (including typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, bacillary dysentery, cholera, diarrhea);
• Skin and soft tissue infections.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Generic Bactrim?

Your doctor should not prescribe you in the following cases:

• In case of serious violations in the work of the kidneys and liver;
• Patients with a deficiency of folic acid in the body;
• Pregnant women;
• With megaloblastic anemia which is developed due to folic acid deficiency;
• Breast-feeding;
• If you are allergic to the active agent component.

How should I take Bactrim?

This medication is taken before meals once or twice a day. In more complex diagnoses frequency of reception can be increased.

Dosage information

For children over 12 years, the normal dose is 960 mg which is taken twice a day, in the morning and evening. Depending on the duration of treatment or severity of a particular disease patients can take as half the normal dose and increase it as well.

To take this medication you need at least 5 days.

For people diagnosed with chancroid doctors prescribe the same dose as for children and also twice a day.

At diagnosis of urinary channels is prescribed 1920-2880 mg (women this dose taken once before bedtime).

In pneumonia is advised 20 mg Trimethoprim and 100 mg per day Sulfamethoxazole but this dose should be divided into 4 admissions and be accepted for 14 days. Dozation also depends on your body weight and age. If the purpose of taking is pneumonia prevention then is taken one tablet a day.

In nocardiosis it is 2880-3840 mg during 3 months to 1 year.

If after prolonged treatment you do not see the result it is likely that the pathogen has got resistant properties.

What may interact with Bactrim?

A combined intake of this medicament and Rifampicin reduces the efficiency and reduce the removal of the last from the blood.

When combined with other folic acid antagonists (Pyrimethamine, Methotrexate) can be increased risk of megaloblastic anemia.

Cyclosporin increases the burden on the kidneys.

The bactericidal effect of the drug is enhanced by the action of Sulfamethoxazole.

With the combination of the drug with myelotoxicity agents there are chances of developing disorders in the bone marrow.

With the utmost care must be combined with Dapsone medicine since this may lead to an increase in plasma concentrations of both drugs and development of the side effects. It is believed that this effect is caused by substances competition for excretion by the kidneys.

Trimethoprim inhibits renal clearance processes of Procainamide and its active metabolite, their plasma concentration is increased significantly.

The substance increases the effectiveness of Warfarin by inhibiting its metabolism.

What should I watch for while taking Bactrim?

With extreme caution medicine is used in bronchial asthma, disorders of the liver or the thyroid gland and in young children. During treatment it is advised to monitor periodically peripheral blood, monitor the condition of the kidneys and liver.

Elderly patients are advised to appoint additional folic acid. It cannot be taken by pregnant and lactating women.

In AIDS patients the risk of side effects is much higher. Frequently observed adverse effects are such as fever, skin rash and leukopenia.

What side effects may I notice from Generic Bactrim?

The drug is generally well tolerated by patients.

Sometimes medication can cause:

• nausea, headaches, aseptic meningitis;
• rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome;
• nephropathy;
• agranulocytosis, leukopenia, methemoglobinemia, anemia, thrombocytopenia;
• diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and as a consequence of anorexia, gastralgia, indigestion.

CNS: in rare cases - depression, dizziness. In some cases there may be: a peripheral nephritis, apathy and tremor.

It is also possible allergic reactions and hypoglycemia of varying severity.

Side effects are usually mild and reversible after discontinuation of the drug.

Where can I keep Bactrim?

Keep the drug in a dry, dark place. The temperature of storage should be below twenty five degrees. You can always order generic Bactrim online.