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Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Pronounced try-METH-oh-prim sul-fah-meth-OX-ah-zole
Brand names: Bactrim, Septra
Type: Sulfonamide antibiotic combination · All Antibiotics & Infection Medicines
What Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is used for
- Urinary tract infections
- Pneumocystis pneumonia prevention and treatment
- Certain skin infections including MRSA
- Some lung and gut infections
◆ Kidney note
Dose is lowered when kidney function is reduced; it is a standard preventive medicine after transplant and in dialysis patients with close potassium and kidney monitoring.
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Rash
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
Important cautions
- Can raise potassium and make kidney blood tests look worse — levels are monitored, especially in kidney disease and with blood pressure medicines
- Serious skin reactions are rare but possible — stop and seek care for a spreading rash with blistering or mouth sores
- Sulfa allergy must be reported before use
How it comes
Tablets, liquid, injection (hospital). This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.
Toxicity lists: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole also appears on Medicines That Can Harm the Kidneys.
Related medicines — Antibiotics & Infection Medicines
Condition guides on MedicalVideos.com
Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.