Sulfamethoxazole is an antibiotic most commonly used in combination with trimethoprim to treat a range of bacterial infections, particularly when caused by susceptible bacteria[1].
Key uses for sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim include:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)[1][2][5]
- Middle ear infections (otitis media)[1][2][5]
- Respiratory infections, including acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis[1][2][5]
- Bacterial enteric infections such as shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) and salmonellosis[1][3][5]
- Traveler’s diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli[1][2][5]
- Pneumocystis jiroveci (carinii) pneumonia (PCP): both prevention and treatment, especially in immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplants[1][2][3][4]
- Prevention and treatment of Toxoplasma gondii encephalitis and cystoisosporiasis in immunocompromised individuals[3][5]
- Prophylactic use in some patients (e.g., to prevent certain infections after organ transplantation or in individuals with weakened immune systems)[3][4]
In some countries, additional approved uses include adjunctive treatment of cholera, bacillary dysentery, nocardiosis, and second-line treatment of brucellosis in combination with other agents[1].
Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is generally not effective against viral infections such as the common cold or flu[2]. It is typically available in oral tablet or suspension form, and sometimes as an injectable[2][4][5].
References
- [1] Sulfamethoxazole: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of … – DrugBank
- [2] Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (oral route) – Mayo Clinic
- [3] Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim Patient Drug Record | NIH
- [4] Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ-TMP) | Children’s Pittsburgh
- [5] Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, others) – WebMD