Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim Coupons & Discount Card - Compare Prices Near You

The information below highlights critical safety considerations for using sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Patients and healthcare providers should carefully evaluate these warnings to mitigate potential risks.

• Pregnancy Advisory: This antibiotic is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to significant risks of developmental harm to the unborn child. It is crucial to inform your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or discover you are pregnant while taking this medication, so alternative treatments can be considered.

• Allergic Reactions and Skin Conditions: There is a possibility of experiencing severe allergic responses, such as anaphylaxis and facial swelling. Additionally, rare but serious skin conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and DRESS syndrome may occur. Individuals with a sulfa allergy are at heightened risk.

• Thrombocytopenia and Bleeding Risk: The medication may lead to reduced platelet counts, increasing the risk of significant bleeding, particularly if combined with other drugs that elevate bleeding risk, such as aspirin or warfarin. Platelet levels typically recover within a week after discontinuation of the antibiotic.

• C. difficile Infection Risk: The use of this antibiotic can disrupt normal gut flora, heightening the risk of Clostridioides difficile infection, which can result in severe diarrhea.

• Electrolyte Imbalance: High dosages of the drug may cause elevated potassium and reduced sodium levels. Immediate medical consultation is recommended if symptoms like weakness, numbness, headache, or confusion develop.

• Blood Cell Disorders: Certain individuals, particularly those with glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, older adults, individuals with kidney or liver issues, those with poor nutrition, or regular alcohol consumers, may experience blood cell-related complications.

• Phenylketonuria (PKU) Precaution: Individuals with PKU must adhere to a low-protein diet while on this medication, as it can exacerbate difficulties in breaking down phenylalanine.

Contraindications

The following conditions make the use of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim inadvisable due to potential severe health risks. Consultation with a healthcare provider is essential if any apply:

• Allergic reaction to sulfa drugs
• History of low platelet counts with trimethoprim or sulfa medications
• Megaloblastic anemia from low folic acid
• Severe liver or kidney disease
• Children under 2 months old
• Concurrent use of dofetilide (Tikosyn)

Common side effects:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• rash
• hives
• increased sensitivity to sunlight

Less common but important to monitor:

• muscle or joint pain
• fatigue
• weakness
• trouble sleeping
• changes in blood sugar levels

Serious side effects:

• severe allergic reactions
• C. difficile-related diarrhea
• high potassium levels
• low sodium levels
• kidney problems
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• blood disorders
• liver damage
• lung injury

Interactions with high risk of serious adverse effects and should be avoided:

• Dofetilide
• Levomethadyl
• Methenamine

Interactions with moderate risk that may require dose adjustment, closer monitoring, or timing changes:

• Warfarin
• Methotrexate
• Acenocoumarol
• Amiodarone
• Sotalol
• Fluconazole
• Erythromycin