Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection

Generic name: Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection [ sul-fa-meth-OKS-a-zole-& trye-METH-oh-prim ]
Drug class: Sulfonamides

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 13, 2024.

Uses of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection:

It is used to treat or prevent bacterial infections.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection?

For all patients taking sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection:

If you are allergic to sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection; any part of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you have anemia caused by a lack of folic acid.
If you have any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
If you have any of these health problems: Asthma, porphyria, thyroid disease, not enough folate in the body, poor absorption, or poor nutrition.
If you have been drinking alcohol for a long time or are taking a drug for seizures.
If you have ever had a low platelet count when using trimethoprim or a sulfa (sulfonamide) drug.
If you are taking any of these drugs: Amantadine, cyclosporine, dofetilide, indomethacin, leucovorin, methotrexate, or pyrimethamine.
If you are taking or have recently taken any of these drugs: Benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.
If you are taking a water pill.
If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

Children:

If your child is younger than 2 months of age. Do not give sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection to an infant younger than 2 months of age.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
Have your urine checked as you have been told by your doctor.
This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection.
Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
Be careful if you have G6PD deficiency. Anemia may happen.
If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
This medicine may make you sunburn more easily. Use care if you will be in the sun. Tell your doctor if you sunburn easily while taking this drug.
Rarely, very bad effects have happened with sulfa drugs. Sometimes, these have been deadly. These effects have included liver problems, blood problems, and very bad skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis). Call your doctor right away if you have a rash; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes; fever, chills, or sore throat; cough that is new or worse; feeling very tired or weak; any bruising or bleeding; or signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
This medicine may raise the chance of a very bad brain problem called aseptic meningitis. Call your doctor right away if you have a headache, fever, chills, very upset stomach or throwing up, stiff neck, rash, bright lights bother your eyes, feeling sleepy, or feeling confused.
If you are 65 or older, use sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection with care. You could have more side effects.
This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection, call your doctor right away.
If you are allergic to sulfites, talk with your doctor. Some products have sulfites.
This medicine has propylene glycol in it. Too much propylene glycol may lead to very bad health problems like nervous system problems, kidney problems, or other organ problems. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
Some products have benzyl alcohol. Do not give a product that has benzyl alcohol in it to a newborn or infant. Talk with the doctor to see if this product has benzyl alcohol in it.

How is this medicine (Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection) best taken?

Use sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs of a high potassium level like a heartbeat that does not feel normal; change in thinking clearly and with logic; feeling weak, lightheaded, or dizzy; feel like passing out; numbness or tingling; or shortness of breath.
Signs of low blood sugar like dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating.
Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
Signs of low sodium levels like headache, trouble focusing, memory problems, feeling confused, weakness, seizures, or change in balance.
Muscle or joint pain.
Purple patches on the skin or mouth.
Shortness of breath.
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
Mood changes.
Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.
This medicine may irritate the vein. If the drug leaks from the vein, it may also cause irritation around that area. Tell your nurse if you have any redness, burning, pain, swelling, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your body.

What are some other side effects of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Upset stomach or throwing up.
Diarrhea.
Not hungry.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim Injection?

If you need to store sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim injection, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.