Co-trimoxazole injection

Who is Co-trimoxazole injection for ?

Your doctor has ordered sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, an antibiotic, to help treat your infection. It will be added to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter placed in your vein for 60-90 or more minutes, two to four times a day. The combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim eliminates bacteria that cause many kinds of infections, including pneumonia and urinary tract and intestinal infections. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how your infection and symptoms respond to the medication.

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is a sulfonamide (“sulfa”) antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. Bacterial cells produce folic acid, a chemical necessary for their growth. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole interferes with the enzyme that helps form folic acid. The lack of folic acid subsequently kills the bacteria.

When should I be careful taking Co-trimoxazole injection ?

Before administering sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, any other sulfa drug, diuretics ("water pills"), oral diabetes medications, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, particularly anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diabetes medications, methotrexate, phenytoin (Dilantin), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, asthma, severe allergies, or a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disease).
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, call your doctor.

Co-trimoxazole injection Side Effects

Although side effects from sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are not common, they can occur. Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• dizziness or loss of balance
• loss of appetite
• upset stomach

• sore throat
• difficulty breathing
• fever
• headache
• joint or muscle aches
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• swelling of the lips or tongue
• swallowing problems
• skin rash or skin changes
• tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• weakness