How to use
Take Bactrim exactly as prescribed by your physician and follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not take a larger dosage or for a longer period than is recommended. If you take Bactrim in liquid form, you should use the special dose-measuring spoon or cup in order to take the correct dose. 
Even if your symptoms improve before the full course has been taken, you must continue until the end of the prescription period for optimum effect.

Make sure you drink plenty of liquids while taking Bactrim to prevent kidney stones. 

Overdose
Possible symptoms of a Bactrim overdose are:

• Dizziness or fainting
• Drowsiness
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite or stomach pain
• Headache
• Yellowing of the eyes and/or skin
• Blood in the urine
• Confusion
• Fever

If you suspect you have taken too much of this medication, seek emergency medical attention immediately. 

Missed dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Notes
Do not share Bactrim with others, since they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by this drug. Bactrim is meant for the treatment of bacterial infections only, so do not use it to treat viral infections like the flu or the common cold.

Storage
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C), away from light and moisture. KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Important note
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed that the taking of this medication is safe, appropriate or effective for you.

* Illustrations are for graphic purposes only and the ordered medication may differ in appearance.

Precautions

You should not use Bactrim if you are allergic to Sulfamethoxazole or Trimethoprim or if you have anemia (lack of red blood cells) caused by folic acid deficiency.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using Bactrim, tell your doctor if you have:

• Kidney or liver disease
• A folic acid deficiency
• Asthma or severe allergies
• AIDS
• A glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency)
• If you are malnourished

Bacrim is classed by the FDA as pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking Bactrim, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 months old. Older adults may be more likely to have side effects while taking this medication.

Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Bactrim can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and this may result in sunburn. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) when you are outdoors. 

Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: 

• Seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin)
• A diuretic (water pill)
• A blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• Methotrexate (Trexall, Rheumatrex)
• An ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace) or trandolapril (Mavik)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with  Bactrim. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products you use, including drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start any new medication without telling your doctor.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• Fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
• The first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild
• Pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding
• Cough, feeling short of breath
• Diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• Feeling restless or irritable, confusion, hallucinations, seizure
• Slow heart rate, weak pulse, severe tingling, numbness, muscle pain or weakness
• Nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• Urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious Bactrim side effects may include:

• Painful or swollen tongue
• Dizziness, spinning sensation
• Ringing in your ears
• Joint pain
• Sleep problems (insomnia)

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.