Generic Bactrim: sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim, Uses

Bacteria are one celled organisms present almost everywhere across the universe. These can be either beneficial or be harmful or pathogenic to human. A bacterial infection is a propagation of a detrimental strain of bacteria inside the body which is able to infect any area of the body. Pneumonia, meningitis, and food poisoning are common illnesses caused by bacteria. Antibiotics, also called as anti-bacterial drugs are the medicines which either kill or stop the proliferation of these pathogenic bacteria and subsides a bacterial infection. One of the first and the oldest class of antibiotics known to the mankind is sulfonamides. The only sulfonamide drug presently usually used as oral antibacterial is sulfamethoxazole (frequently in mixture with trimethoprim as Cotrimoxazole). Marketed under the name of Bactrim, it is an antibacterial antibiotic and a combination of Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim which is also called as Cotrimoxazole. It is an FDA approved medicine for bacterial infections. Generic Bactrim is a generic version of this drug and is a combination antibiotic comprising 400 mg Sulfamethoxazole and 80 mg trimethoprim for oral use as tablets.

Working mechanism

Sulfamethoxazole, being a sulfonamide antibiotic compete with PABA for the enzyme dihydropteroate synthetase restraints synthesis of dihydrofolic acid in bacteria. Trimethoprim, a bacteriostatic, is active against most common bacterial pathogens, and is used to treat various urinary, lung and other infections. Trimethoprim hunks the production of tetrahydrofolic acid from dihydrofolic acid by combining with an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase which is required for this conversion of dihydrofolic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid. Because sulfonamides inhibit a diverse stage on the same bacterial metabolic pathway, they can add to or enhance the action of trimethoprim. Generic Bactrim is generally used specifically to treat Pneumocystis carinii (now known as P. jirovecii) pneumonia (a fungal infection), toxoplasmosis (infection cause due to a protozoa) or nocardiasis (a bacterial infection). Thus, Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim blocks two consecutive and important steps in the creation of nucleic acids and proteins which are vital for growth and expansion of various bacteria.

Use of Generic Bactrim

Generic Bactrim 450mg is effective against following diseases if caused by the bacteria which are killed by a combination of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim. These include infectious diseases like:

• Urinary Tract Infections

• Acute Otitis Media

• Acute Worsening of Chronic Bronchitis in Adults

• Shigellosis

• Pneumocystis jiroveci Pneumonia

• Traveler’s Diarrhea in Adults

Generic Bactrim is not to be used in patients with an allergic reaction to trimethoprim or sulfonamides, in patients with a history of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia when trimethoprim and/or sulfonamides are used, and in patients with ongoing conditions like folate deficit induced megaloblastic anemia. Generic Bactrim is also not to be used in infants < 2 months of age and in patients with severe liver damage or with kidney dysfunction when kidney function status cannot be checked.

Use during pregnancy

Exposure to Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim present in Generic Bactrim during pregnancy can lead to inborn deformities, chiefly neural tube defects, heart abnormalities, urinary tract defects, oral clefts, and club foot. If sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be told and warned of the potential hazards to the unborn baby.

Side-effects of Generic Bactrim

Common side effects:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Drowsiness

• Fever

• Body aches

• Cough and flu

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Pyrexia (increase in body temperature)

Mild side effects mostly diminish in few hours; though, pursue therapeutic care on instant basis if they are tenacious or long-lasting.

A word of Caution

• Stop the use of Generic Bactrim if you are sensitive to any of its components.

• Lactating and pregnant women should stay away from using generic Bactrim.

• High fat diet, alcohol and smoking should be avoided while consuming this medicine.

• NOT TO BE USED in children under two years of age.