Sulfamethoxazole is an antibiotic that is usually prescribed in combination with trimethoprim. Together, these antibiotics (often sold under the name Bactrim or Septra) can be used to treat a variety of infections, including urinary tract and middle ear infections. They can also be used to treat malaria and a rare type of pneumonia known as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Like all medicines, they have the potential to cause side effects.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Some of the side effects of sulfamethoxazole affect the digestive system. These side effects, Drugs.com notes, can include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea. In some cases the diarrhea may be a sign of a newly acquired intestinal infection, so patients should be on the lookout for bloody diarrhea.
Neurological Effects
Sulfamethoxazole can also lead to some relatively minor neurological problems. RxList.com notes that patients who are taking sulfamethoxazole may experience ringing in their ears (also known as tinnitus) and dizziness (vertigo). Some psychiatric side effects have also been noted, including nervousness, anxiety, depression and apathy.
Photosensitivity
Photosensitivity is another documented side effect of sulfamethoxazole use. Photosensitivity means that the patient's skin is more sensitive to the effects of the sun. Drugs.com recommends that patients taking sulfamethoxazole avoid sunbeds, sunlamps and direct sunlight and wear sunscreen whenever they are outside.
Liver Damage
Sulfamethoxazole, HealthSquare notes, can also cause liver damage. Symptoms of severe liver damage include yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice), severe upper abdominal pain and clay-colored stools.
Bone Marrow Problems
Sulfamethoxazole can also interfere with the bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells. This can lead to anemia as a result of the patient's red blood cells becoming depleted. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue and pallor. Patients may also develop agranulocytosis, which is a result of the bone marrow being unable to produce new white blood cells. This puts a patient at grave risk of developing infections.
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is the result of a serious reaction of the skin and mucous membranes to drugs such as sulfamethoxazole. This condition begins with flu-like symptoms, after which a painful purple or red rash develops. The affected skin will then blister and peel off. This can cause the underlying layers of skin to become infected, leading to cellulitis or sepsis. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a medical emergency, and all patients who develop a rash while taking sulfamethoxazole should contact their doctor.
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