Bactrim DS Tablet belongs to the group of medicines called ‘antibiotics’ used to treat bacterial infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract (bronchitis), ear (otitis media), lungs (pneumonia), skin, brain and toxoplasmosis (infection caused by a bacteria called toxoplasma). Bacterial infections are caused due to the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body. Bactrim DS Tablet does not work against infections caused by the virus, including cold and flu. 

Bactrim DS Tablet is a combination of two antibiotics, namely: Trimethoprim (folic acid inhibitors) and Sulfamethoxazole (sulfonamides). Trimethoprim prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolic acid, and sulfamethoxazole stops the bacteria from making dihydrofolic acid. Tetrahydrofolic acid and dihydrofolic acid are essential for the formation of proteins and nucleic acids, which are necessary for the survival of the bacteria. By inhibiting these, Bactrim DS Tablet stops the growth of bacteria and kills them. Thereby, it helps to treat bacterial infections.

Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Bactrim DS Tablet based on your condition and the severity of the infection. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as high levels of potassium in the blood, palpitations (abnormal heartbeats), thrush or candidiasis (fungal infection), headache, nausea, diarrhoea, and skin rashes. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.

Before starting Bactrim DS Tablet , please inform your doctor if you have any allergy (against any antibiotic), kidney or liver problems. Do not take Bactrim DS Tablet on your own as self-medication may lead to antibiotic-resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. Consult your doctor before taking Bactrim DS Tablet if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid alcohol consumption to prevent unpleasant side-effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting. Bactrim DS Tablet is not recommended for children below 12years.

Bactrim DS Tablet belongs to the group of medicines called ‘antibiotics’ used to treat various bacterial infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract (bronchitis), ear (otitis media), lungs (pneumonia), skin, brain and toxoplasmosis (infection caused by a bacteria called toxoplasma). Bactrim DS Tablet is a combination of two antibiotics, namely: Trimethoprim (folic acid inhibitors) and Sulfamethoxazole (sulfonamides). Trimethoprim prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolic acid, and sulfamethoxazole stops the bacteria from making dihydrofolic acid. Tetrahydrofolic acid and dihydrofolic acid are essential for the formation of proteins and nucleic acids, which are necessary for the survival of the bacteria. By inhibiting these, Bactrim DS Tablet kills the bacteria and stops their growth. Thereby, it helps to treat bacterial infections. Bactrim DS Tablet is a broad-spectrum antibiotic which is active against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Enterobacter species, Haemophilus influenzae, etc.

Do not take Bactrim DS Tablet if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you have severe liver or kidney problems, thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets in the blood), or porphyria (rare blood problem). Consult your doctor immediately if you experience skin rash or prolonged, significant diarrhoea with abdominal pain. Talk to your doctor before taking Bactrim DS Tablet if you have severe allergies, asthma, ulcers, blood disorders, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, are elderly, underweight or malnourished; if you have a folic acid deficiency, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, or high levels of potassium in the blood. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Bactrim DS Tablet to prevent unpleasant side-effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting.

• Antibiotics can alter the useful bacteria in the stomach, which help in digestion. Therefore, you are advised to take foods rich in probiotics such as yoghurt/curd, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, buttermilk, natto and cheese.
• Eat fibre rich food like whole grains, beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas and bananas.
• Avoid foods rich in calcium, grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they might hinder the absorption of antibiotics.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol and usage of tobacco.

• High levels of potassium in the blood
• Palpitations (abnormal heartbeats)
• Thrush or candidiasis (fungal infection)
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Skin rashes

• Bactrim DS Tablet may affect certain laboratory test results such as blood tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Bactrim DS Tablet . 
• Your doctor may advise you to get regular tests if you have kidney problems or if you have been prescribed Bactrim DS Tablet for a longer duration, to know if the medicine is working properly.

Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. Infectious or harmful bacteria can make you sick and reproduce quickly in the body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Symptoms include fever, chills, and fatigue. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicine are more prone to bacterial infection.