Bactrim

Other Names: Septra, Sulfatrim Pediatric

Commonly Prescribed for: Bactrim is an antibiotics used to treat different types of bacterial infection commonly occur on ears, urinary tract, bronchii, colon and lungs. Bactrim is not prescribed for viral infections such as the common flu.

How to Take It: Bactrim should be orally taken for the full prescribed time period. Although your symptoms may improve before the drugs are all consumed, as like other antibiotics, you have to continue taking it until the last pill/capsule. Consult your doctor before having prescribed for this drugs if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to sulfamethoxazole or trimethoprim, as well as if you have anemia, kidney disease, asthma, AIDS, G6PD deficiency or malnourished.

How It Works: Containing sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, Bactrim blocks two consecutive steps in the biosynthesis of nucleic acids and proteins essential to many bacterias.

Some Side Effects: As an antibiotics, Bactrim may ringing in the ear, insomnia, allergic reactions (hives, breathing difficulty, swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat) or diarrhea. If your diarrhea is watery or bloody, call your doctor immediately. It also may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and cause a sun burn. Therefore you should avoid the sunlight, sunlamps and tanning beds. Severe side effects may include blistering, peeling and red skin rash, skin bruising or bleeding, restless or irritable feeling, confusion, hallucination, seizure, slow heart rate, weak pulse, severe tingling, numbness, muscle pain, nausea, stomachache, loss of appetite, jaundice, fever, or less urinating.