Consumer Information

Cotrim

Generic Name: sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (sul fa meth OX a zole and trye METH oh prim)
Brand Names: Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Bactrim Pediatric, Bethaprim, Bethaprim Pediatric, Cotrim, Cotrim DS, Cotrim Pediatric, Septra, Septra DS, Sulfatrim, Sulfatrim Pediatric, Sulfatrim Suspension, Uroplus, Uroplus DS

What is Cotrim?

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Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are both antibiotics that treat different types of bacterial infections. Cotrim is a combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim and is used to fight bacteria in your body.

Cotrim is used to treat infections such as urinary tract infections, bronchitis, ear infections (otitis), traveler's diarrhea, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Cotrim may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Cotrim

Take all of the Cotrim that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Before taking Cotrim

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

kidney or liver disease, or
a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency).

You may not be able to take Cotrim, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Cotrim is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Cotrim will harm an unborn baby. This medication affects folic acid in your body, which is necessary for the normal development of a baby. Do not take Cotrim without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Cotrim passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Cotrim is not approved for use in children younger than 2 months of age.

How should I take Cotrim?

Take this drug exactly as directed by your physician. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take Cotrim with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

You may crush the tablets and put them in water or a soft food like applesauce or pudding if you cannot swallow them whole.

To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of Cotrim with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. Take all of the Cotrim that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infections is completely treated. Store the tablets and liquid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

If you have only missed one dose, you can take the rest of your scheduled doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a Cotrim overdose include nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, headache, yellowing of the skin or eyes, decreased urine production, bloody urine, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking Cotrim?

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Cotrim may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Cotrim side effects

Stop taking Cotrim and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
unusual bleeding or bruising; or
yellow skin or eyes.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take your medication and talk to your doctor if you experience

headache, fatigue, or dizziness;
nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, or diarrhea;
weakness; or
increased sensitivity to the sun.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Cotrim?

Cotrim may increase the effects of oral anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) and lead to bleeding. Tell your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner.

Cotrim may also increase the effects of drugs used to treat diabetes, such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Glynase, Micronase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolbutamide (Orinase), and tolazamide (Tolinase). Very low blood sugar levels may result. Watch for changes in your blood sugar if you are a diabetic.

Cotrim may increase the effects of phenytoin (Dilantin) and lead to dangerous side effects. Watch for unusual side effects during treatment.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Cotrim. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about Cotrim written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is available with a prescription under the brand names Cotrim, Bactrim and Septra. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Bactrim 400mg/80 mg - capsule-shaped, light-green, scored tablets
Bactrim DS 800 mg/160 mg - capsule-shaped, white, scored tablets
Bactrim Suspension 200 mg/40 mg per teaspoon - pink, cherry-flavored liquid
Septra 400 mg/80 mg - round, pink, scored tablets
Septra DS 800 mg/160 mg - oval, pink, scored tablets
Septra Suspension 200 mg/40 mg per teaspoon - pink, cherry-flavored liquid

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.