Bactrim Dosage
Generic name: SULFAMETHOXAZOLE 800mg, TRIMETHOPRIM 160mg
Dosage form: tablet
Drug class: Sulfonamides
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 30, 2024.
BACTRIM is contraindicated in pediatric patients less than 2 months of age.
Urinary Tract Infections and Shigellosis in Adults and Pediatric Patients, and Acute Otitis Media in Children
Adults:The usual adult dosage in the treatment of urinary tract infections is 1 BACTRIM DS (double strength) tablet or 2 BACTRIM tablets every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days. An identical daily dosage is used for 5 days in the treatment of shigellosis.
Children:The recommended dose for children with urinary tract infections or acute otitis media is 40 mg/kg sulfamethoxazole and 8 mg/kg trimethoprim per 24 hours, given in two divided doses every 12 hours for 10 days. An identical daily dosage is used for 5 days in the treatment of shigellosis. The following table is a guideline for the attainment of this dosage:
Children 2 months of age or older: | ||
---|---|---|
Weight | Dose–every 12 hours | |
lb | kg | Tablets |
22 |
10 |
– |
44 |
20 |
1 |
66 |
30 |
1½ |
88 |
40 |
2 or 1 DS tablet |
For Patients with Impaired Renal Function
When renal function is impaired, a reduced dosage should be employed using the following table:
Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) |
Recommended Dosage Regimen |
---|---|
Above 30 |
Usual standard regimen |
15–30 |
½ the usual regimen |
Below 15 |
Use not recommended |
Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis in Adults
The usual adult dosage in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis is 1 BACTRIM DS (double strength) tablet or 2 BACTRIM tablets every 12 hours for 14 days.
Pneumocystis jiroveciiPneumonia
Treatment
Adults and Children:
The recommended dosage for treatment of patients with documented Pneumocystis jiroveciipneumonia is 75 to 100 mg/kg sulfamethoxazole and 15 to 20 mg/kg trimethoprim per 24 hours given in equally divided doses every 6 hours for 14 to 21 days. 12The following table is a guideline for the upper limit of this dosage:
Weight |
Dose–every 6 hours |
|
lb |
kg |
Tablets |
18 |
8 |
– |
35 |
16 |
1 |
53 |
24 |
1½ |
70 |
32 |
2 or 1 DS tablet |
88 |
40 |
2½ |
106 |
48 |
3 or 1½ DS tablets |
141 |
64 |
4 or 2 DS tablets |
176 |
80 |
5 or 2½ DS tablets |
For the lower limit dose (75 mg/kg sulfamethoxazole and 15 mg/kg trimethoprim per 24 hours) administer 75% of the dose in the above table.
Prophylaxis
Adults:
The recommended dosage for prophylaxis in adults is 1 BACTRIM DS (double strength) tablet daily. 13
Children:
For children, the recommended dose is 750 mg/m 2/day sulfamethoxazole with 150 mg/m 2/day trimethoprim given orally in equally divided doses twice a day, on 3 consecutive days per week. The total daily dose should not exceed 1600 mg sulfamethoxazole and 320 mg trimethoprim. 14The following table is a guideline for the attainment of this dosage in children:
Body Surface Area | Dose–every 12 hours |
---|---|
(m 2) | Tablets |
0.26 |
– |
0.53 |
½ |
1.06 |
1 |
Traveler’s Diarrhea in Adults
For the treatment of traveler’s diarrhea, the usual adult dosage is 1 BACTRIM DS (double strength) tablet or 2 BACTRIM tablets every 12 hours for 5 days.
Frequently asked questions
- What drugs should be avoided with a sulfa allergy?
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- What happens if antibiotics don’t work for UTI?
- Can I drink alcohol when taking sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim DS?
- What dose of co-trimoxazole is used in a patient with a UTI?
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Further information
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