Bactrim DS (Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim 800mg/160mg) Tablets

Bactrim DS general information

What is Bactrim DS used for?

Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg are a high strength combination antibiotic used to treat a range of infections caused by susceptible bacteria, (as well as specific fungal infections) in various parts of the body, where a combination antibiotic is more beneficial than a single antibiotic.  Bactrim DS is used to treat acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections such as cystitis, respiratory tract infections such as acute exacerbations of bronchitis, acute otitis media (middle ear infection), genital tract infections such as gonorrhoea, and infections of the gastrointestinal system, such as gastroenteritis due to E.coli and shigellosis caused by Shigella.  Bactrim DS tablets is also used to treat nocardiosis, a bacterial lung infection caused by nocardia a bacteria found in soil and stagnant water.  Bactrim DS can also be used to treat and prevent other forms of infection including the lung infection Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonitis (pneumonia or PJP), a form of pneumonia caused by the yeast like fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii, which is an opportunistic infection in people who are immunocompromised, such as due to HIV infection; also toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii that can cause flu-like symptoms.

How does Bactrim DS work? 

Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg contain co-trimoxazole, a combination of two antibiotics, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole that block two consecutive steps in the biosynthetic pathway needed for bacterial DNA and protein synthesis.  Sulfamethoxazole in Bactrim DS tablets competes with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which the bacterial cells use to make an important metabolite dihydrofolic acid.  Trimethoprim in Bactrim DS tablets inhibits a specific bacterial enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) that converts dihydrofolic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid.  These combined actions of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole block bacterial folate biosynthesis, needed for making nucleic acids and proteins, preventing replication of the bacteria by bacteriostasis, which limits the growth of the bacteria and stops the spread of infection. 

What does Bactrim DS contain?

Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg contain the active ingredient co-trimoxazole, a combination of two antibiotics, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole that are used to treat used to treat various infections caused by susceptible bacteria and other microorganisms. 

Treating bacterial infection with Bactrim DS

Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg contain the active ingredient co-trimoxazole, a combination of two antibiotics, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole that are used to treat used to treat various infections caused by susceptible bacteria and other microorganisms.  Use of Bactrim DS tablets is recommended only when a combination antibiotic is considered to be more beneficial than a single antibiotic.  Bacterial infections that Bactrim DS tablets are used for include acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections such as cystitis, respiratory tract infections such as acute exacerbations of bronchitis, acute otitis media (middle ear infection), genital tract infections such as gonorrhoea, and infections of the gastrointestinal system, such as gastroenteritis due to E.coli and shigellosis caused by Shigella.  Bactrim DS tablets is also used to treat nocardiosis, a bacterial lung infection caused by nocardia a bacteria found in soil and stagnant water.  Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole block two consecutive steps in the biosynthesis of bacterial folate, which is needed for making essential nucleic acids and proteins, preventing replication of the bacteria by bacteriostasis, which limits the growth of the bacteria and stops the spread of infection.

Bactrim DS for other microbial infections

Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg contain the active ingredient co-trimoxazole, a combination of two antibiotics, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole that are used to treat used to treat various infections caused by susceptible bacteria and other microorganisms.  Bactrim DS can also be used to treat and prevent certain microbial infections including the lung infection Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonitis (PJP), a form of pneumonia caused by the yeast like fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii, which is an opportunistic infection in people who are immunocompromised, such as due to HIV infection; also toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii that can cause flu-like symptoms.  Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole block two consecutive steps in the biosynthesis of microbial folate, which is needed for making essential nucleic acids and proteins, preventing replication of the microorganism, which limits its growth and stops the spread of infection.

What are the side effects of Bactrim DS?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea sore mouth, skin rash, fungal overgrowth.

When should Bactrim DS not be used?

You should not use Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg if you:

• are allergic to trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole or any ingredients in Bactrim DS
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have a folate deficiency
• have porphyria, a type of blood disorder
• have ever had the bleeding disorder thrombocytopenia
• are taking medicines that interact with Bactrim DS, including thiazide diuretics, the anti malarial pyrimethamine, the antiretrovirals zidovudine and lamivudine, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, the anticoagulant warfarin, the antiepileptic phenytoin, sulphonylurea antidiabetic drugs, other antifolate drugs like the anticancer drug methotrexate, digoxin for heart failure, procainamide for irregular heartbeat, amantadine for Parkinson's disease
• are taking ACE Inhibitors: (Benazepril [Lotensin], Capotopril [Capoten], Enalapril [Vasotec], Lisinopril [Prinivil, Zestril], Accupril [Quinapril, Accuretic], Ramipril [Altace, Cardace]; ARBS (Angiotension Receptor Blockers): Candesartan [Atacand], Irebsartan [Avapro], Losartan [Cozaar, Cosart-H, ], Olmesartan [Benicar, Olmecip], Telmisartan [Micardis, Telsartan], Valsartan [Diovan, Valzaar]

What medications interact with Bactrim DS?

Several medications interact with Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Bactrim DS or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Bactrim DS: thiazide diuretics, the anti-malarial pyrimethamine, the antiretroviral zidovudine, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine
• Drugs that affect Bactrim DS: procainamide for irregular heartbeat, amantadine for Parkinson's disease
• Drugs that are affected by Bactrim DS: the antiretroviral lamivudine, the anticoagulant warfarin, the antiepileptic phenytoin, sulphonylurea antidiabetic drugs, procainamide for irregular heartbeat, amantadine for Parkinson's disease, digoxin for heart failure, other antifolate drugs like the anticancer drug methotrexate

How should Bactrim DS be taken?

You should take your Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg swallowed whole with a glass of water and with food, to reduce risk of upset stomach.  The dose you day and how often depends on your age, what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation, usually one tablets every 12 hours for at least 5 days.  You should continue to take your Bactrim DS tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor and until your infection has cleared up.

How long should you take Bactrim DS?

You should continue to take your Bactrim DS tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor and until your infection has cleared up.

Missed dose of Bactrim DS

If you miss a dose of Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Bactrim DS be stored?

You should store your Bactrim DS tablets 800/160mg below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light.