Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 24, 2022.
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Sulfonamide Combination
Pharmacologic Class: Folic Acid Antagonist
Chemical Class: Sulfonamide
Uses for sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination is used to treat intestinal or urinary tract infections. It is also used to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), a very serious kind of pneumonia. This type of pneumonia occurs more commonly in patients whose immune systems are not working normally, such as cancer patients, transplant patients, and patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination is an antibiotic. It works by eliminating the bacteria that cause many kinds of infections. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination in children older than 2 months of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established for infants less than 2 months of age.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-relate...
