Bactrim DS: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Compositions

Bactrim DS is an antibiotic, is a Schedule-4 (IV) tablet used to treat a range of bacterial infections but it does not work against viral infections. 

Bactrim DS is manufactured and marketed by Abbott India Ltd.

Uses and Benefits of Bactrim DS:

Bactrim DS is used to inhibit infections suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.

It is used for the treatment, prevention or mitigation of the following diseases:

• Acute Otitis Media, a type of excruciating ear infection.
• Shigellosis, diarrhea caused by susceptible bacteria Shigella.
• Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia.
• Traveler’s Diarrhea.
• Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis (AECB).
• Urinary tract infections.
• Gastrointestinal side-effects: Nausea, emesis, diarrhea, anorexia, hepatitis, pancreatitis, stomatitis
• Allergic reactions: Photosensitivity, general allergic reactions, chills, allergic myocarditis, exfoliative dermatitis, general skin eruptions, pruritus, skin rashes (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), liver damage, joint pain, unremitting coughing, lethargy, dark urine.
• You suffer from any kind of severe liver or kidney disease.
• You suffer from a blood disorder of any kind.
• You suffer from streptococcal pharyngitis.
• You are on dofetilide.
• You are pregnant. Consumption of Bactrim may have adverse effects on the baby. Consult your doctor for further details.
• You are a breastfeeding woman. Bactrim seeps into the breast milk and may be detrimental to the health of the baby.
• You are allergic to medicines used to treat diabetes because this may mean that you are more susceptible to an allergic reaction upon consuming Bactrim.
• You suffer from asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, deficiency of folic acid, epilepsy, phenylketonuria.
• Cipro (Ciprofloxacin)
• Keflex (Cephalexin)
• Doxycycline
• Azithromycin
• Penicillin
• Amoxicillin
• Levaquin (Levofloxacin)
• Cleocin (Clindamycin phosphate)
• Augmentin Duo
• Diuretics
• Medicine for epilepsy, phenytoin
• Pyrimethamine
• Zidovudine
• Medicines used to treat diabetes
• Oral contraceptives
• Sulfinpyrazone (gout medicine)
• Salicylates
• Clozapine, used for treating schizophrenia.
• Blood thinners
• Digoxin
• Amantadine and memantine used to treat Parkinson's disease.
• Cyclosporin
• Dapsone, polymyxin
• Anti-depressants
• Azathioprine

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Side-Effects of Bactrim DS:

Like any other medicine, Bactrim DS has its side-effects, some of which are more serious than the others. These are the possible side-effects: Other side effects include muscle weakness, symptoms indicating low blood sugar, kidney damage, seizures, erratic pulse rate, and migraine. The above-mentioned list of side effects is not a comprehensive one, although it includes some of the most recorded side-effects. If symptoms of any of these side-effects persist, you are advised to consult your doctor as said side-effects can prove to be very serious.

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Common Dosage of Bactrim DS:

The dosage of Bactrim DS differs with respect to the reason it is administered for and the person it is administered to. For the treatment of urinary tract infections, the recommended dosage for an adult is 1 Bactrim DS tablet every 12 hours for two weeks and 5 days when the disease is due to shigellosis.

For treating children afflicted with urinary tract infections or acute otitis media is half a tablet of Bactrim single-strength tablet given every 12 hours for a period of 10 days.

Likewise

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Composition and Nature of Bactrim DS:

Bactrim DS comprises primarily of two antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole, which belongs to a class of medicines called Sulfonamides and Trimethoprim which belongs to the class of benzyl pyrimidines. It is available in the form of both single strength and double strength (DS) tablets. Bactrim DS contains 800 mg sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg trimethoprim.

Its active ingredients are docusate sodium 85%, sodium benzoate 15%, sodium starch glycolate, pregelatinized starch and magnesium stearate.

How Does Bactrim-DS Work?

The two constituent antibiotics work in combination with each other to stop the growth of the bacteria responsible for the particular infection. Sulfamethoxazole battles with para-aminobenzoic acid to obstruct the bacterial synthesis of Dihydrofolic acid. Trimethoprim, on the other hand, obstructs the specific enzyme necessary for the production of tetrahydrofolic acid from the aforementioned dihydrofolic acid. By blocking these two steps, the active ingredients of Bactrim impede the survival of many types of bacteria.

Related Warnings/Precautions- When to avoid Bactrim DS?

Do not take Bactrim if you are allergic to any of its active or non-active ingredients. Inform your Doctor of your medical history and those of your family members to avoid any complications that may arise later.

You are advised not to take Bactrim if:

Substitutes of Bactrim DS:

The following antibiotics can be used as a substitute for Bactrim but you are advised only to do so after consultation with your doctor or a health care professional.

Bactrim DS Interactions

The medicines that may interact with Bactrim either cause to lose its effects or exacerbate its side-effects are:

Any of these aforementioned medicines, when taken in combination with Bactrim, may cause Bactrim to lose its potency or aggravate its side-effects. Caution is recommended.

Bactrim DS FAQs

What if I missed a dose of Bactrim Tablet, what should I do?

Ans: If you were to miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, given that it is not almost time for the next dose. If it is, do not double dose and skip the previous dose.

I overdosed on the prescribed quantity of Bactrim DS tablet, what should I do?

Ans: If you think you could have taken more than what was prescribed, you should talk to a physician without any delay. Consuming more of Bactrim DS than what is prescribed for your particular age, medical history, weight could aggravate its side-effects. You may feel nauseous and lightheaded or confused. 

Is Bactrim DS Tablet safe to use during pregnancy?

Ans: It is not recommended that you take Bactrim DS during pregnancy. However, you are advised to contact your doctor for any case-specific advice.

Is Bactrim DS safe to use while breastfeeding?

Ans: It is not recommended that you take Bactrim DS while breastfeeding. However, you are advised to contact your doctor for case-specific advice.

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