Bactrim DS is an oral antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It is available by prescription only and includes the medications sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Patients who are prescribed Bactrim DS should take it as recommended by their doctors, for the entire length of time. Discontinuing the medication once the symptoms go away could cause the infection to recur. Pulmonary side effects are a sign that a hypersensitivity reaction or a type of allergic response is occurring, and a doctor should be notified immediately.
Cough
According to Drugs.com, a cough can occur as a pulmonary side effect of Bactrim DS. A cough occurs when the lungs or airway passages are irritated with secretions or irritants. Frequent coughing and lasting episodes of coughing can cause the individual to have difficulty breathing. Patients who develop a cough while taking Bactrim DS should notify their health care providers immediately, as it may be a sign of an allergic, or hypersensitivity reaction.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath occurs when an individual has difficult taking full and complete breaths. The individual will feel winded, sometimes even when sitting still. Drugs.com notes that shortness of breath can occur as a pulmonary side effect of Bactrim DS. If this side effect becomes severe enough, the patient may progress to having difficulty breathing, and may have a blue tint to the lips. This is an emergency situation and proper medical personnel should be contacted immediately for prompt treatment.
Pulmonary Infiltrates
A pulmonary infiltrate occurs when the air sacs within the lungs fill with fluid or other substances, such as pus or blood, instead of air. Pulmonary infiltrates can occur as a pulmonary side effect of Bactrim DS, and should be considered a serious side effect in need of immediate intervention. Pulmonary infiltrates are diagnosed via x-ray and will cause difficulty and noisy breathing. Pulmonary infiltrates limit the amount of air that can be exchanged in the body and decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood.
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