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Bactrim DS Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) Metronidazole Ciprofloxacin
View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Bactrim DS (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) Metronidazole Ciprofloxacin
Prescription only

Prescribed for Bacterial Skin Infection, Bacterial Infection, Diverticulitis, Bronchitis, Epiglottitis, Granuloma Inguinale, Infection Prophylaxis, Kidney Infections, Melioidosis, Meningitis, Middle... View more

Prescription only

Metronidazole is an antibiotic that is particularly effective at treating infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria and parasites. Alcohol and products containing propylene glycol should... View more

Prescription only

Ciprofloxacin is an effective antibiotic that treats a wide variety of infections; however, it should not be given to children aged less than 18. In adults, it should be reserved for infections that... View more

More about (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) More about Metronidazole More about Ciprofloxacin
Ratings & Reviews

Bactrim DS has an average rating of 5.0 out of 10 from a total of 390 ratings on Drugs.com. 34% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 44% reported a negative effect.

Metronidazole has an average rating of 6.0 out of 10 from a total of 2431 ratings on Drugs.com. 44% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 29% reported a negative effect.

Ciprofloxacin has an average rating of 5.0 out of 10 from a total of 935 ratings on Drugs.com. 37% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 46% reported a negative effect.

View all 390 reviews

View all 2431 reviews

View all 935 reviews

Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.

View all Bactrim DS side effects

View all Metronidazole side effects

View all Ciprofloxacin side effects
Drug Class
Generic Availability

Lower cost generic approved

Lower cost generic

Lower cost generic
Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance
Quantity 100 tablet
Strength 800 mg-160 mg
Per unit* $2.88
Cost* $287.51

View all Bactrim DS prices

Quantity 4 tablet
Strength 500 mg
Per unit* $2.69
Cost* $10.77

View all Metronidazole prices

Quantity 1 tablet
Strength 500 mg
Per unit* $11.58
Cost* $11.58

View all Ciprofloxacin prices

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Dosage Forms
  • Oral tablet
  • Intravenous solution
  • Oral capsule
  • Oral tablet
  • Intravenous solution
  • Oral powder for reconstitution
  • Oral tablet
  • Oral tablet, extended release
Brand Names
Other sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim brands include: Bactrim, Bactrim IV, Bactrim Pediatric, Bethaprim, Bethaprim Pediatric, Co-trimoxazole, Septra, Septra DS, SMZ-TMP DS, Sulfatrim Pediatric View more Flagyl, Flagyl 375, Flagyl IV, Likmez, Metro, Metro IV Cipro, Cipro Cystitis Pack, Cipro I.V., Cipro XR
Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.

14 hours

20 hours

4 hours
CSA Schedule 1 View glossary of CSA terms
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
Pregnancy Category
D
Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
B
Category B No proven risk in humans

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
Drug Interactions

A total of 452 drugs are known to interact with Bactrim DS:

  • 63 major drug interactions (247 brand and generic names)
  • 177 moderate drug interactions (820 brand and generic names)
  • 212 minor drug interactions (682 brand and generic names)

A total of 379 drugs are known to interact with Metronidazole:

  • 13 major drug interactions (36 brand and generic names)
  • 361 moderate drug interactions (1186 brand and generic names)
  • 5 minor drug interactions (20 brand and generic names)

A total of 716 drugs are known to interact with Ciprofloxacin:

  • 175 major drug interactions (692 brand and generic names)
  • 448 moderate drug interactions (3367 brand and generic names)
  • 93 minor drug interactions (244 brand and generic names)
Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions
  • Ask your doctor before using sulfamethoxazole together with alcohol. Contact your doctor if you... View more
  • Consumption of alcoholic beverages or products containing alcohol or propylene glycol during... View more
  • Do not take ciprofloxacin with dairy products such as milk or yogurt, or with calcium-fortified... View more
Disease Interactions
First Approval Date

N/A

July 18, 1963

October 22, 1987
WADA Class View classifications

N/A

N/A

N/A
More Information
Patient Resources

N/A
Professional Resources

N/A
Related Treatment Guide

1 The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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