Infections caused by bacteria can occur in several organs such as the respiratory channels, urinary tract, gastric system, etc. Your treating physician may prescribe antibiotic meds to treat such infectious conditions. One such med is a combinatorial drug having sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim DS; a widely used antibiotic / antibacterial drug. The active chemicals of this combinatorial drug inhibit folate, a key item needful for growth of bacterial strands. But, can you take trimethoprim DS / sulfamethoxazole along with alcohol? It is important to know more in this regard.
Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim
The combinatorial antibiotic drug containing trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole is used for a broad range of microbes. As a result, this drug is taken for the treatment of infections in your gastric tract, respiratory system, inner as well as mid-ears, urinary tract, etc. This combinatorial med is also used for the prevention and treatment of a few kinds of pneumonia especially a type called pneumocystis.
Trimethoprim DS / sulfamethoxazole is however not safe for children aged less than 3 months; administration onto infants can cause a few severely adverse effects. Also, this is not to be used for the treatment of viral or fungal infections. People who used it for treating fungal or viral infections may see a drop in its efficacy, and may also the microbes resistant to its key ingredients.
Is it safe to take alcohol along with trimethoprim DS / sulfamethoxazole?
It can be dangerous to take alcohol when you are using trimethoprim DS / sulfamethoxazole. Those who have a drinking habit are advised to stop taking alcohol all through your treatment plan. People who took alcohol witnessed a few adverse side effects such as rapid heartbeat, discoloration of skin, abdominal discomforts such as indigestion, vomiting and nausea.
As an extended precaution, if you are using cold / cough drugs, extra care is needed; this is because most of these drugs may contain alcohol in them. Also, a few mouthwash solutions may also have alcohol in them; so, share needful inputs about your mouthwash liquid prior to starting your medication plan i.e., before starting to take trimethoprim DS / sulfamethoxazole.
However, there are a few antibiotic/ antibacterial drugs which do not interact quite adversely with alcohol. In this milieu, you need to know that a main risk of using alcohol with trimethoprim DS / sulfamethoxazole is the odds of adverse interactions. It is hence a good practice to take needful advice from your caregiver / pharmacist before using alcohol or alcohol-based drugs along with antibiotics such as trimethoprim DS / sulfamethoxazole.
Safe use of trimethoprim DS / sulfamethoxazole
It is usually taken through the oral route; you are advised to take it with 7 ounces (or 220 ml) of water. A few people may develop a stomach upset. In such cases, this drug is taken along with milk / fruit juice or along with a meal. No two persons are likely to have the same medication plan of trimethoprim DS / sulfamethoxazole; hence, it can be unsafe to share this drug with a friend or relative who has the same signs of discomforts. Your medication plan is unique and it depends on your age, body weight and prior clinical conditions (if any) as well as other drugs you are presently taking.
It is a good practice to tell your doctor about medication / treatment plans you are currently pursuing. As a safety measure, share details about all the drugs – including, over the counter meds, prescription drugs, herbal supplements, mineral aids as well as nutraceutical products, if any. Last but not least, adhere to the instructions the treating doctor issues while prescribing a combination of trimethoprim DS / sulfamethoxazole or other such forms of antibacterial meds.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Florida. Experience: 5 years as a pharmacist and medical writer, creating content on medication management and pharmaceutical news for healthcare blogs and patient education sites.
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