sulfisoxazole

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Sulfisoxazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Sulfisoxazole is a sulfonamide ("sulfa") antibiotic that helps keep bacteria from growing in your body.

Sulfisoxazole is used to treat or prevent many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as bladder infections, ear infections, or meningitis.

Sulfisoxazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to sulfisoxazole or to any other sulfa drugs such as Azulfidine, Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra, or Sulfazine. Women who are in late pregnancy or are breast-feeding should not take sulfisoxazole.

Before using sulfisoxazole, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma;
• diabetes;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• anemia (a lack of red blood cells);
• a condition called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency;
• a history of any type of allergy; or
• if you are unable to urinate.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use sulfisoxazole, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Sulfisoxazole can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) and other problems in a newborn if the mother has taken this medication late in pregnancy, Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with sulfisoxazole.

Sulfisoxazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby, especially if the baby is younger than 2 months old.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 months old without the advice of a doctor.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may take sulfisoxazole with or without food.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

While you are taking sulfisoxazole, drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. This will help prevent kidney stones or crystals in the urine.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood and/or urine will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using sulfisoxazole. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Sulfisoxazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

Store sulfisoxazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a sulfisoxazole overdose may include headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, fever, blood in your urine, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, flu-like symptoms, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Sulfisoxazole can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Sulfisoxazole can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• cough, feeling short of breath, pale skin, joint pain, unusual bruising;
• fast or pounding heartbeat;
• blue lips or fingernails, feeling light-headed, fainting;
• swelling around your neck or throat;
• urinating more or less than usual;
• severe pain in your side or lower back, blood in your urine;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
• seizure (black-out or convulsions).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• mild stomach pain, bloating, gas;
• headache, dizziness;
• ringing in your ears; or
• swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking sulfisoxazole, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); or
• diabetes medications you take by mouth, such as acetohexamide (Dymelor), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glimepiride (Amaryl, Avandaryl, Duetact), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), tolazamide (Tolinase), or tolbutamide (Orinase).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use sulfisoxazole, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect sulfisoxazole. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist has information about sulfisoxazole written for health professionals that you may read.