Bactrim is a prescription drug for treating different bacterial infection types. It is available in tablet form and usually is taken twice a day. It is a combination of two antibiotics—sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. The former is part of a class of drugs called sulfonamides while the latter does not belong to any specific group of medications. Bactrim is manufactured by the Mutual Pharmaceutical Company, Inc. although there are generic versions of the drug made by various manufacturers.

Bactrim is specifically used in treating bacterial infections like intestinal infections and those affecting the middle ear. Other ailments like chronic bronchitis, bacterial urinary tract infection, and urinary tract infection caused by E. Coli bacteria can also be cured by this medication. But it won’t work in treating viral infections like flu.

Short-Term Side Effects

Like any medication, Bactrim may cause side effects even if it is generally considered safe as proven by many clinical tests.  Common side effects of the drug include vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, itching, and rashes. These side effects however often disappear once the body gets used to the drug.

Long-Term Side Effects

Although the chances are very, very low, Bactrim can cause serious side effects like neck stiffness, chronic headache, seizure and irregular heartbeat.  Other serious but unlikely side effects are skin rashes, blood disorders like aplastic anemia, lung injury, and liver damage. Patients should immediately seek medical assistance if they notice any of these symptoms.

Other potential serious side effects of the chronic use of Bactrim include persistent cough, chronic sore throat or fever, difficulty in breathing, yellowing of the eyes and skin, unexplained bleeding, unexplained fatigue and dark urine. A severe intestinal condition called Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea may also occur from the use of this medication.