Question

The patient is a 74 year old woman who is prescribed to take trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) for a severe urinary tract infection. The prescription says she is to take 1 tablet every 12 hours for the next 14 days. She tells you that we all take too many drugs and plans to stop taking the drug as soon as the pain and burning on urination goes away.

1) What type of drug is trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and how does it work?

2) Is it okey for her to stop taking the drug as soon as the symptoms are gone? Why or why not?

3) What are the side effects of this drug?

4) What precaution and actions should this patient be taught about this drug?

(any help is well received please and thank you)

Answer 1

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) is a bactericidal antibiotic used to treat UTIs, and it is crucial for patients to complete the full course of treatment to prevent infection recurrence and antibiotic resistance. Side effects may include gastrointestinal distress and risk of secondary yeast infection. Patients should be educated on these concerns and the importance of completing their prescribed medication regimen.

Step-by-step explanation:

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) is a synergistic antibiotic combination used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) among other bacterial infections. Trimethoprim inhibits a later step in bacterial folic acid synthesis, working in conjunction with sulfamethoxazole, which disrupts an earlier part of the same pathway. This combination results in a bactericidal effect which is more effective than either drug alone.

Patients are advised not to discontinue antibiotic treatment prematurely, even if symptoms disappear. Completing the full course of treatment is essential to ensure all bacteria are eliminated. Stopping early can result in a resurgence of the infection and contribute to antibiotic resistance, leading to more severe health complications, such as sepsis or kidney infections in elderly patients.

Side effects of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole include fever, nausea, vomiting, cramps, loss of appetite, fatigue, and bloating. Moreover, antibiotics may disrupt the normal microbiota, leading to secondary infections such as yeast infections.

Patients should be educated on the importance of completing the entire course of antibiotics, recognizing and reporting side effects, and the possibility of secondary infections. They should also be advised to stay hydrated and monitor for any signs of adverse reactions or complications.

Answer 2

Remedy of UTIs. whilst treating clear-cut, acute cystitis within the walking-properly geriatric population, using first-line antibiotics, such as sulfa drugs (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) for three days or ampicillin, is enough. No cultures are vital if that is a primary-time event.A 3-day course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX; Bactrim, Septra) is suggested as an empiric remedy for straightforward urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women, in regions wherein the rate of resistant escherichia coli are much less than 20 percent.Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim combination is used to treat infections such as urinary tract infections, middle ear infections (otitis media), bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea, and shigellosis (bacillary dysentery).