International and World-Wide Usage of Bactrim
Bactrim is a drug that contains two antibiotics: sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. When combined, these antibiotics serve as an effective treatment for bacterial infections on ear, bronchial tubes and urinary tract. It can also be used to treat traveler’s diarrhea.
The Bactrim is available in liquid suspension and tablet. Each tablet has 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim. How many tablets you need to take will depend on your condition. It is best not to take the drug without a physician’s prescription.
For traveler’s diarrhea, the usual prescription is two tablets to be taken every 12 hours for only five days. You will need to take two tablets twice a day for a span of 10 days when trying to treat sinusitis. The prescribed period for treating bronchitis may be up to 14 days. The drug can also be used for mild urinary tract infections. The international usage is a tablet to be taken twice a day for only five days. The drug in tablet form is not to be prescribed to children. The liquid suspension is to be used instead.
The drug is most likely not to be prescribed to expectant mothers and even to those who are currently breastfeeding since it can be passed on to the child through the breast milk. In addition, it is best to tell your doctor of any plans to get pregnant. Your doctor should also be aware of your kidney disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, allergy to sulfa products, and other medicines that you are taking. Note that there are many drugs that could interact with Bactrim.
The drug is approved by Food and Drug Administration in most countries. However, the manufacturers are required to inform the public for possible side effects including diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Itching and rashes may also occur especially to people who are allergic to sulfa products.
As a rule, you need to follow the prescription labels but some problems are inevitable such as missing the dose. For missing a dose, it is recommended that you take the drug as soon as possible, except when the time for the next dose is coming up. It is best to take the drug with a full glass of water. Stopping taking the drug earlier than prescribed is also discouraged even if the symptoms will usually subside two to three days after the first dose.
There are also many things that you should avoid when taking this drug. First, you should avoid driving as this drug can make you dizzy and drowsy. Second, you should also avoid operating machineries for the same reason you should avoid driving. Third, you must stay away from sun and artificial tanning equipment (i.e. tanning booth or tanning bed). If you are going out during the day, make sure to use sun protection to avoid sunburns. Lastly, you should avoid dehydration. Drink a lot of fluids especially when you experience diarrhea. Water would also lessen the chances of developing kidney problems due to this strong antibiotic.