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Can Sulfamethoxazole Treat Sinus Infection

Can Bactrim Work For Strep Throat And / Or Sinus Infections

Sulfonamide Antibiotics | Bacterial Targets, Mechanism of Action, Adverse Effects

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Sulfameth Trimethoprim Sinus Infection

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HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

Common Questions About Trimethoprim

Trimethoprim kills bacteria by stopping them making a substance called folic acid, which they need to survive.

This is why trimethoprim can sometimes cause low folic acid levels in your blood over time.

You should feel better within a few days.

It’s important that you keep taking trimethoprim until your course is finished.

Do this even if you feel better. It will help stop the infection coming back.

Tell your doctor if you do not start feeling better after taking trimethoprim for 3 days, or if you start to feel worse at any time.

Some people get a fungal infection called thrush after taking a course of antibiotics like trimethoprim.

It happens because antibiotics kill the normal harmless bacteria that help to protect you against thrush.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice if this happens to you.

Yes. Trimethoprim should not affect you being able to drive or cycle.

There’s no evidence to suggest that taking trimethoprim reduces fertility in either men or women.

But if you’re trying to get pregnant and you are taking trimethoprim every day, talk to your doctor, as this medicine is not usually recommended in early pregnancy. They may recommend changing to another antibiotic, or they may also prescribe high dose folic acid .

Trimethoprim does not stop any type of contraception from working, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.

Read more about what to do if you’re on the pill and you’re being sick or have diarrhoea.

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Who Can And Cannot Take Trimethoprim

Most adults and children can take trimethoprim.

Trimethoprim is not suitable for some people. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

  • have ever had an allergic reaction to trimethoprim or any other medicine
  • have liver or kidney problems
  • have porphyria or any other blood disorder
  • are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant

Using The Right Water During Saline Rinses

Sulfamethoxazole is commonly used to treat urinary tract infections. In ...

When using saline nasal rinses, tap water should always be boiled and then allowed to cool to ensure cleanliness distilled water or premixed solutions could also be used instead of regular tap water.

Other home remedies for sinus infections include:

  • Drinking fluids: Drinking lots of fluids helps loosen and thin mucus. Avoid beverages that are caffeinated and alcoholic beverages that can dehydrate the body, which could thicken mucus.
  • Breathing steam: Warm water is best . You can breathe in steam from either a bowl or shower.
  • Humidifying the air: Use a cool air vaporizer or humidifier,particularly at night while sleeping.
  • Avoiding environmental substances: Avoid tobacco smoke and chlorinated water that can dry up the mucus membranes and exacerbate symptoms.
  • Implementing treatment measures: At the first sign of infection, use antihistamines and employ regular nasal rinses.

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What Is Sinus Infection

Medically known as rhinosinusitis, Sinus infection or Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Healthy sinuses are filled with air. But when they become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection. It occurs when your nasal cavities become infected, swollen, and inflamed. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus and often persists even after other upper respiratory symptoms are gone. In some cases, bacteria, or rarely fungus, may cause a sinus infection.

What Are The Most Common Antibiotics Used For Sinusitis

Amoxicillin remains the drug of choice for acute, uncomplicated bacterial sinusitis. Amoxicillin is most effective when given frequently enough to sustain adequate levels in the infected tissue. While often prescribed twice daily, it is even more effective if taken in 3 or 4 divided doses. Amoxicillin is typically prescribed for 7-10 days at a time. While it is critical to finish the entire 10 day course of antibiotics when treating strep throat, there is evidence that shorter courses of treatment may be sufficient for most cases of sinusitis. Amoxicillin is closely related to the parent compound penicillin and should not be prescribed in patients who are penicillin allergic.

Cephalosporins and Augmentin are considered broad-spectrum antibiotics because they have enhanced effectiveness against a wider range of bacteria, including those that are resistant to ordinary penicillin or amoxicillin. If the patient does not improve within the first week on amoxicillin, a change to Augmentin or to a cephalosporin such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, or Suprax is reasonable. Although these drugs have a similar mechanism of action to penicillin, they generally can be taken in adequate doses once or twice daily. These medications should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of penicillin allergy, as cross-reaction may occur.

Additional resources:

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How To Use Sulfamethoxazole

Take this medication by mouth, as directed by your doctor, with a full glass of water . If stomach upset occurs, take with food or milk. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication to lower the unlikely risk of kidney stones forming, unless your doctor advises you otherwise. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time every day.

Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping it too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

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For adults:

  • 800mg of sulfamethoxazole every 12 hours.
  • 160mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours.

These doses should be taken for a period of five days.

The dose for children above the age of two months should be determined by the doctor. These medications are not recommended for infants below the age of two months.

If a dose is missed, ensure that you take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is already time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose. Keep this medicine out of reach from children. It should be stored in a closed container at normal room temperature. It should also be kept out of light, heat, and moisture.

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Treatment Methods Beyond Antibiotics

About 30 million Americans are diagnosed with inflamed nasal passageways and sinuses each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Sinus infection symptoms are uncomfortable, painful and debilitating.

Symptoms can include:

  • Sinus pressure behind the eyes and cheeks
  • Runny, stuffy nose
  • Thick yellow or green mucus

While antibiotics are a common treatment approach, evidence suggests that they do no more good than a placebo in regards to improving sinusitis. Not only that, but adverse effects associated with antibiotic usage and escalating rates of drug resistance are also other reasons to avoid antibiotics.

Instead, we recommend using a variety of methods to accelerate the sinusitis recovery process, including:

  • Drinking enough water.
  • Keeping sinuses hydrated with humidifiers, saline nasal sprays, and steam treatments.
  • Using warm compresses around the nose, cheeks, and eyes.
  • Taking over-the-counter medications like aspirin and antihistamines.

What Causes Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance can take place when bacteria are treated with an antibiotic. The medicine may kill most of these germs, but a small group might survive. This can happen in a couple of ways.

The germs can either:

  • Develop an ability to stop the medicines impact.
  • Form an ability to pump the medicine out of the cell.
  • Change so that the medicine doesnt work anymore.

When bacteria get resistant, the original antibiotic can no longer kill them. These germs can grow and spread. They can result in infections that are difficult to treat. Sometimes they may even spread the resistance to other bacteria that they encounter.

When you use an antibiotic, theres a risk that some of the bacteria will become resistant. Using these medicines when theyre not needed is a key reason why antibiotic resistance is becoming more common.

So its best to use these medicines only when absolutely necessary.

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Are Antibiotics Right For You

While you have many options for antibiotics to treat your sinusitis, your doctor will be the final say in what is prescribed. Your doctor will take into account all your healthcare considerations and prescribe a medicine that will fight infection and can be tolerated well. In many cases, the infection may be viral or secondary to a separate disorder. In some cases it can be caused by allergies which will require different courses of treatment. If you notice symptoms of sinusitis lasting more than ten days, talk to your doctor to see if an antibiotic is needed to manage your symptoms.

Can A Paronychia Infection Be Treated Without Antibiotics

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Most paronychia infections can be managed without antibiotics over-the-counter analgesics are usually sufficient. If cellulitis is present, however, then antibiotics are indicated.

What kind of infections do sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim treat?

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is a combination antibiotic used to treat infections such as those affecting the ear, urinary tract, lungs, or gastrointestinal tract.

What kind of infections does SMX-TMP DS treat?

This medication is a combination of two antibiotics: sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. It is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections .

How does Paronychia affect the cuticle of the finger?

Paronychia is an inflammation of the folds of tissue surrounding the nail of a toe or finger. Paronychia may be classified as either acute or chronic. The main factor associated with the development of acute paronychia is direct or indirect trauma to the cuticle or nail fold. This enables pathogens to inoculate the nail, resulting in infection.

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Side Effects Of Sulfamethoxazole

If you come across any of the following side effects, inform your doctor before the symptoms can worsen. The common side effects of sulfamethoxazole include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Tongue or mouth soreness
  • Low blood sugar symptoms such as excessive sweating, tremors, dizziness, increased heart rate, increased hunger, and vision changes.

When To Use And Avoid Antibiotics And Other Treatments To Try

A sinus infection can be treated with antibiotics when it is caused by bacteria. Sinus infections that have other causes, such as allergies or viruses, won’t benefit from antibiotics.

Most sinus infections don’t need antibiotics and will start to get better without treatment. Healthcare providers typically only prescribe antibiotics for sinus infections that don’t clear up on their own.

This article looks at what types of sinus infections can be treated with antibiotics. It also discusses over-the-counter treatments and home remedies.

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Why Are Antibiotics Important

Antibiotics are one of the most common classifications of drugs used to treat bacterial infections. Since their introduction to the world of medicine, they have helped treat countless people, especially those with infectious diseases.

Antibiotics are very crucial during surgeries and are used to prevent patients from getting any infections from the cut. Without antibiotics, there is a higher chance of blood poisoning and the more complicated surgeries would not be possible to perform.

Symptoms And Signs Of Sinusitis

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Acute and chronic sinusitis cause similar symptoms and signs, including purulent rhinorrhea, pressure and pain in the face, nasal congestion and obstruction, hyposmia, halitosis, and productive cough . Often the pain is more severe in acute sinusitis. The area over the affected sinus may be tender, swollen, and erythematous.

  • Maxillary sinusitis causes pain in the maxillary area, toothache, and frontal headache.

  • Frontal sinusitis causes pain in the frontal area and frontal headache.

  • Ethmoid sinusitis causes pain behind and between the eyes, a frontal headache often described as splitting, periorbital cellulitis, and tearing.

  • Sphenoid sinusitis causes less well localized pain referred to the frontal or occipital area.

Malaise may be present. Fever and chills suggest an extension of the infection beyond the sinuses.

The nasal mucous membrane is red and turgescent yellow or green purulent rhinorrhea may be present. Seropurulent or mucopurulent exudate may be seen in the middle meatus with maxillary, anterior ethmoid, or frontal sinusitis and in the area medial to the middle turbinate with posterior ethmoid or sphenoid sinusitis.

Manifestations of complications include periorbital swelling and redness, proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, confusion or decreased level of consciousness, and severe headache.

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How Antibiotics Can Help With Your Chronic Sinusitis

The sinuses are made of soft mucosal tissue and small hairlike structures that moisten and filter air as we breathe. Sometimes these tissues become inflamed by infections, like the common cold or allergies, which prevents mucus from properly draining. The mucus continues to be produced, but pools in the sinuses. This creates an environment that is perfect for bacteria or viruses to thrive.

When sinuses get infected this way, it causes an array of symptoms such as:

  • Post-nasal drip

These symptoms can make it hard to accomplish even the simplest of tasks. Generally, these infections are expected to run their course over about seven to ten days. Over-the-counter medicines are commonly used to alleviate pain and congestion, but this environment can make it difficult for the body to properly remove the bacteria. This can lead to more chronic sinus issues as the infection spreads and inflames more tissue creating a vicious cycle.

Algorithm For Use Of Antibiotics In Acute Sinusitis

Adapted from Chow AW, Benninger MS, Brook I, et al: IDSA clinical practice guideline for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in children and adults. Clinical Infectious Diseases 54 :10415 .

In exacerbations of chronic sinusitis in children or adults, the same antibiotics are used, but treatment is given for 4 to 6 weeks. The sensitivities of pathogens isolated from the sinus exudate and the patients response to treatment guide subsequent therapy.

Sinusitis unresponsive to antibiotic therapy may require surgery to improve ventilation and drainage and to remove inspissated mucopurulent material, epithelial debris, and hypertrophic mucous membrane. These procedures usually are done intranasally with the aid of an endoscope. Chronic frontal sinusitis may be managed either with osteoplastic obliteration of the frontal sinuses or endoscopically in selected patients. The use of intraoperative computer-aided surgery to localize disease and prevent injury to surrounding contiguous structures has become common. Nasal obstruction that is contributing to poor drainage may also require surgery.

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Can Bactrim Be Used For A Sinus Infection

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HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

How Strong Is Sulfamethoxazole

Sulfamethoxazole is an antibiotic is used for bacterial infections of ...

Dosage for Bactrim Bactrim is available in tablets in two strengths 400 mg sulfamethoxazole and 80 mg trimethoprim and the DS form which means double strength, 800 mg sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg trimethoprim. Patients should follow their doctors instructions and take all of the Bactrim prescribed.

What skin conditions does cephalexin treat?

Cephalexin remains an effective and highly useful antibiotic for the treatment of streptococcal and staphylococcal skin infections. Twelve years of experience have not diminished its efficacy, and cure rates of 90% or higher continue to be achieved.

Is cephalexin a good antibiotic?

Cephalexin is a first-generation, cephalosporin antibiotic. It belongs to a bigger classification of antibiotics known as beta-lactam antibiotics. It is generally effective against bacteria involved in upper and lower respiratory tract infections, otitis media, mastitis, and skin, bone, and joint infections.

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Can Sulfamethoxazole Be Used By Anyone

No. Sulfamethoxazole or trimethoprim should not be used by individuals who:

  • Have a history of low blood platelet count or immune thrombocytopenia.
  • Are allergic to any ingredients present in sulfamethoxazole or trimethoprim.
  • Are allergic to any other sulfonamide or sulfa medicines such as hydrochlorothiazide.
  • Are suffering from severe kidney or liver problems.
  • Are already taking methenamine or dofetilide.
  • Are younger than two months of age.
  • Have been diagnosed with anemia, which is caused by low levels of folic acid or folate in the blood.

What Are The Best Antibiotics For Sinus Infection Do Doctors Prescribe For You

There are many antibiotics that your doctor or physician may prescribe to help treat your sinus infection. Some of these may even be familiar to you.

  • Ciprofloxacin This drug is used to treat conditions including urinary tract infections, specific types of infectious diarrhea, bone and joint infections, respiratory tract infections, typhoid, and other forms of bacterial infection.
  • Trimethoprim This drug is the brand name for a medication that is a combination of two antibiotics: trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole that is used to treat bacterial infections. Bactrim works by preventing the growth of bacteria.
  • These antibiotics are effective in treating sinus infection, however, these drugs do carry side effects. You should only be taken according to what your doctor or physician has prescribed. Always follow their instructions to achieve the best results.

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