Septra

Generic name:sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (oral) [ SUL-fa-meth-OX-a-zole-and-trye-METH-oh-prim ]
Brand names: Septra, Septra DS
Drug class:Sulfonamides

Medically reviewed by Kaci Durbin, MD. Last updated on Mar 3, 2021.

What is Septra?

Septra contains a combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are are both antibiotics that treat different types of infection caused by bacteria.

Septra is used to treat ear infections, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea, shigellosis, and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia.

Warnings

You should not use Septra if you have severe liver disease, kidney disease that is not being monitored, anemia caused by folic acid deficiency, if you take dofetilide, or if you have had low platelets caused by using trimethoprim or a sulfa drug.

You should not take Septra if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Septra if you are allergic to sulfamethoxazole or trimethoprim, or if you have:

• severe liver disease;

• kidney disease that is not being treated or monitored;

• anemia (low red blood cells) caused by folic acid deficiency;

• a history of low blood platelets after taking trimethoprim or any sulfa drug; or

• if you take dofetilide (Tikosyn).

Do not use Septra if you are pregnant. This medicine could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor ...