Bactrim and Bactrim DS: How to Use, Dosage, and Side Effects

Bactrim is a type of medicine that doctors often prescribe to treat bacterial infections in the body. It's made up of two antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim, which work together to kill bacteria. Bactrim is commonly used for infections like urinary tract infections, ear infections, and respiratory infections.

Why do healthcare providers prescribe Bactrim or Bactrim DS?

Healthcare providers prescribe Bactrim or Bactrim DS because they contain two antibiotics called sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. These antibiotics work together to kill different types of bacteria in the body. This medication has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and is prescribed for certain conditions.

Treat adults experiencing a sudden or short-term worsening of chronic bronchitis.
Treat adults and children with shigellosis, a type of dysentery infection.
Treat adults and children with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Treat children with middle ear infections.
Prevent or treat pneumocystis pneumonia in adults and children
Aid adults with traveler's diarrhea.

Remember Bactrim or Bactrim Ds can only be used by children aged 2 months or older.

Is Bactrim available in syrup or liquid form?

Healthcare provider may prescribe a liquid form of this medicine to adults and kids who can't swallow tablets. The brand-name Bactrim liquid is not sold anymore, but you can get generic versions. This article talks about Bactrim and Bactrim DS, which are only in tablet form. To learn more about the generic liquid form, ask your provider or pharmacist.

How Bactrim generic is different from the Bactrim brand name?

Bactrim's generic name is sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. It's a type of antibiotic medicine that helps treat bacterial infections.

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is sold as a generic medicine. The generic version holds the same active ingredients and is as safe and effective as the brand-name version. Furthermore, they often cost less. If you're thinking about using the generic Bactrim or Bactrim DS, ask your provider about it.

Is a prescription required?

Yes, a prescription is required for the use of Bactrim or Bactrim DS. These medications contain a combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, both antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. It's crucial to consult your provider to determine suitability and get a prescription for proper usage.

Side effects:

Bactrim and Bactrim DS can cause a range of side effects, both mild and severe. Below are some of the common side effects that may occur while taking Bactrim and Bactrim DS.

Mild side effects:

Mild side effects of Bactrim and Bactrim DS can include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Lack of appetite
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Skin photosensitivity, which may increase the risk of sunburn

Mild allergic reaction:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects:

Serious side effects from Bactrim and Bactrim DS aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

Kidney problems. Signs and symptoms may include:

Urinating more or less than usual
Fluid retention
Blood in your urine
Urine contains crystals, which may lead to the formation of kidney stones

Liver problems, including hepatitis (liver inflammation). Symptoms may include:

Jaundice
Nausea and vomiting
Dark urine
Diarrhea associated with Clostridioides difficile. Symptoms can include:
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain

Blood disorders, such as thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). Symptoms may include:

Bruising easily
Bleeding

Electrolyte imbalances, such as high levels of potassium in your blood. Symptoms of high potassium may include:

Shortness of breath
Muscle weakness or pain
Heart palpitations

Tinnitus, symptoms can include:

Buzzing, hearing a ringing, or whistling sound in one or both ears
Severe allergic reactions, including serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)

Side effects in Kids:

Kids taking Bactrim or Bactrim DS can experience similar side effects as adults experience.

As I mentioned above, healthcare providers do not prescribe Bactrim or Bactrim DS for children under the age of 2 months.

Allergic reactions:

As with most drugs, some patients can have an allergic reaction after taking Bactrim or Bactrim DS Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

Itchiness
Skin rash
Flushing

Generally, a more severe allergic reaction is not common but possible symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

Trouble breathing
Swelling under the skin, typically in eyelids, hands, feet, or lips
Swelling of the tongue, throat, or mouth

Immediately call your healthcare provider if you have an allergic reaction to Bactrim, as the reaction could become serious. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel aggressive or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

The FDA updates the side effects of drugs it has approved. If you notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Bactrim and Bactrim DS, you can do so through Med Watch.

What conditions are Bactrim prescribed for the treatment of?

The Food and Drug Administration approves prescription Bactrim and Bactrim DS to treat certain conditions. Bactrim may also be utilized off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug utilization is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a reason other than what it’s approved for.

To treat chronic bronchitis:

Bactrim and Bactrim DS are FDA-approved to treat sudden worsening of chronic bronchitis in adults, known as an acute exacerbation. Symptoms may include severe or frequent coughing, trouble breathing, or wheezing. They're effective when caused by certain bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae.

To treat UTI (urinary tract infections):

Bactrim and Bactrim DS are FDA-approved to treat UTIs in kids (ages 2 months and older) and adults.

Symptoms of urinary tract infections include alters in urination, such as

Frequent or sudden need to urinate
Pain or burning sensation while urinating

Bactrim and Bactrim DS are particularly approved to treat UTIs caused by the following types of bacteria

Klebsiella species
Morganella morganii
Escherichia coli
Proteus vulgaris
Proteus mirabilis

Your provider may test your urine to confirm whether this medication is on the verge of being effective for managing your UTI.

To treat shigellosis:

Your healthcare provider may prescribe Bactrim or Bactrim DS if you have shigellosis.

Shigellosis is a type of dysentery infection caused by certain types of bacteria. These include Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri. Symptoms of this illness may include:

Fever
Diarrhea (may contain blood)
Abdominal pain

To treat acute otitis media:

Bactrim and Bactrim DS are FDA-approved to treat middle ear infections. A middle ear infection is also called acute otitis media. (acute means short-term infection).

Symptoms of acute otitis media include:

Pain or pressure in the ear
Children may also have a fever
Pull on their ear, or
Cry more than usual

Typically, Bactrim and Bactrim DS are approved to treat middle ear infections caused by certain types of bacteria such as

Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenza

Remember this medication is not approved to assist in helping prevent ear infections or for long-term treatment of ear infections.

To treat traveler's diarrhea:

Generally, healthcare providers prescribe Bactrim and Bactrim DS to treat traveler’s diarrhea in adults.

Traveler’s diarrhea is described as having a minimum of three episodes of diarrhea (watery, loose, stools) in 24 hours during travel out of the country. It’s often caused by consuming contaminated food or water. Or it may be caused by consuming water that contains different bacteria than what your body is used to at home.

Typically, Bactrim and Bactrim DS are prescribed for traveler’s diarrhea caused by E. coli (Escherichia coli).

To treat pneumocystis pneumonia:

T treat or prevent pneumocystis, healthcare providers prescribed Bactrim and Bactrim DS (FDA-approved medications) in kids (ages 2 months and older) and adults.

Pneumocystis pneumonia is a fungal infection that impacts the lungs. The fungus responsible for this infection is known as Pneumocystis jirovecii. Individuals with a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV or AIDS, are more susceptible to this infection. Some of the common symptoms of this infection include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and fever.

Bactrim and kids:

Bactrim and Bactrim DS are FDA-approved medications for the following conditions in kids under the age of months and older, in specific situations to treat

Middle ear infections
Urinary tract infection
Shigellosis (a type of dysentery)
Prevent pneumocystis pneumonia

Sometimes, healthcare providers prescribe a liquid form of this Bactrim or Bactrim DS, if adults and children can't swallow oral tablets.

Healthcare providers may prescribe a liquid form of this medication in case adults and children are unable to swallow oral tablets. However, the brand-name Bactrim suspension is no longer available, but generic versions are still obtainable. This article specifically talks about Bactrim and Bactrim DS, which are available only in the form of oral tablets. If you need more information about generic sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim oral suspension, please consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosage:

There are several factors on which your provider will prescribe the dosage of Bactrim. These factors are:

The type and severity of your infection
Whether your provider prescribes
Body weight (for certain uses)
Body surface area (for a specific use in kids)
Your age
Other medical conditions you may have for example kidney problem

The following facts explain dosages that are more commonly used or prescribed. However, make sure to take the dose your provider suggests for you. Your provider will set the exact dosage, to fit your requirement.

Drug forms and potency:

Both medications (Bactrim and Bactrim DS) are accessible in oral tablet form. The potencies are described in mg (milligram) as follows:

Bactrim DS (double strength): 800 mg sulfamethoxazole/160mg trimethoprim
Bactrim: 400 mg sulfamethoxazole/80 mg trimethoprim

Dosage for chronic bronchitis:

For treating an acute flare of chronic bronchitis in adults, the typical dose is either:

One tablet of Bactrim DS (800 mg/160 mg) taken each12 hours for 14 days
Two tablets of Bactrim (400 mg/80 mg) taken each 12 hours for 14 days

Dosage for urinary tract infections (UTI):

For treating a UTI in adults, the specific dose is either:

One tablet of Bactrim DS (800 mg/160 mg) taken each12 hours for 10–14 days
Two tablets of Bactrim (400 mg/80 mg) taken each 12 hours for 10–14 day

Dosage for shigellosis:

For treating shigellosis in adults, the specific dose is either:

One tablet of Bactrim DS (800 mg/160 mg) taken each 12 hours for 5 days
Two tablets of Bactrim (400 mg/80 mg) taken each 12 hours for 5 days

Dosage for pneumocystis pneumonia:

For the treatment of pneumocystis pneumonia, the dosage of Bactrim and Bactrim DS depends on the body weight (in kg) of adults. The recommended dose range per day is 75-100 mg/kg of sulfamethoxazole and 15-20 mg/kg of trimethoprim, prescribed in divided doses. Your healthcare provider will inform you how many tablets to take for each dose. You need to consume this dose every 6 hours for 14-21 days.

For example if your weight is 64 kg (141lb), your provider may prescribe 4 tablets of Bactrim (400 mg/80 mg) consumed every 6 hours for 14-21 days. Otherwise, your provider may prescribe 2 tablets of Bactrim or Bactrim DS (800 mg/160 mg) consumed every 6 hours for 14-21 days.

To prevent pneumocystis pneumonia in adults, the recommended dosage is 1 tablet of Bactrim DS (800 mg/160 mg) consumed once daily.

Dosage for traveler’s diarrhea:

To treat traveler’s diarrhea in adults, the recommended dosages are

One tablet of Bactrim DS (800 mg/160 mg) consumed every 12 hours for 5 days
Two tablets of Bactrim (400 mg/80 mg) consumed every 12 hours for 5 days

Dosage for Kids:

The provided information outlines common or suggested dosages, but it's crucial for your child to take the dose prescribed by the provider. The provider will decide the appropriate dosage tailored to your child's needs.

For UTI or middle ear infections:

For UTI or middle ear infection treatment in children aged 2 months and older, Bactrim dosage is based on the child's weight in kg. Usually, the daily dose is 40 mg/kg of sulfamethoxazole and 8 mg/kg of trimethoprim, consumed in divided doses every 12 hours for 10 days. (Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are the active ingredients in Bactrim and Bactrim DS.)

For example, if your kid’s weight 20 kg (nearly 44 lb), the provider may suggest 1 tablet of Bactrim (400 mg/80 mg) consumed every 12 hours for 10 days.

Kid’s dosage for shigellosis:

To treat shigellosis in kids aged 2 months and up, how much Bactrim they get depends on their weight in kilograms. Usually, they'll take 40 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 8 mg of trimethoprim for every kilogram they weigh, split into doses every 12 hours for 5 days. So, if a child weighs 20 kg (about 44 lbs), their doctor might give them one Bactrim tablet (400 mg/80 mg) every 12 hours for 5 days.

Kid’s dosage for pneumocystis :

For treating pneumocystis pneumonia in children aged 2 months and up, the amount of Bactrim they take also depends on their weight in kilograms.

Healthcare providers typically recommend a dosage of 75-100mg of sulfamethoxazole and 15-20mg of trimethoprim per kilogram of body weight, divided into four doses and taken every six hours for a period of 14-21 days.

Suppose a child weighs 32 kg (about 70 lbs), the healthcare provider may prescribe either two Bactrim tablets (400 mg/80 mg) every 6 hours for a period of 14 to 21 days, or one Bactrim DS tablet (800 mg/160 mg) every 6 hours for a period of 14 to 21 days.

Can Bactrim be used for cellulitis, strep throat, a tooth infection, or a STD?

Yes, Bactrim can be used to treat cellulitis, strep throat, and certain types of tooth infections caused by bacteria. However, it is not typically used to treat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. It's important to discuss with your provider or pharmacist for appropriate diagnosis and treatment recommendations for any medical condition.

Frequently asked questions:

What is Bactrim/Bactrim DS used for?

Bactrim and Bactrim DS are antibiotic medications used to treat various bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, ear infections, bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea, and pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP).

How do Bactrim and Bactrim DS work?

These medications contain two active ingredients: sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. They work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the body, thereby treating bacterial infections.

Are Bactrim and Bactrim DS the same?

Bactrim DS (double strength) contains higher doses of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim compared to regular Bactrim. Bactrim DS is typically prescribed for more severe infections or when higher concentrations of the medication are required.

Can Bactrim/Bactrim DS be used to treat viral infections like the common cold or flu?

No, Bactrim and Bactrim DS are antibiotics effective against bacterial infections only.

How should Bactrim/Bactrim DS be taken?

These medications are usually taken orally with a full glass of water. It's important to follow the dosage and instructions given by your healthcare provider and to complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms improve.

Can Bactrim/Bactrim DS be taken with other medications?

You need to inform your provider about all medicines, supplements, and herbal remedies you are consuming before starting Bactrim or Bactrim DS, as they can interact with other medications.

How long does it take for Bactrim/Bactrim DS to start working?

Improvement in symptoms usually occurs within a few days of starting treatment. However, it's crucial to complete the course of antibiotics as prescribed by your provider to make sure the infection is fully treated.

Header