Sulfadoxine-PyrimethamineOral - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine

Uses
This medication contains 2 medicines, sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine. It is used to treat a serious, possibly fatal, parasite infection of the red blood cells (malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum) when other medications cannot be used. It is used if the infection is suspected of being resistant to other malaria medications (e.g., chloroquine). Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine belongs to a class of drugs known as antimalarials. It works by killing the form of the malaria parasite that infects the red blood cells. This medication does not treat a return of the same malaria infection (relapse). Other medications should be used for this purpose.Due to the possibility of severe side effects, this medication should not be used for the prevention of malaria unless other medications cannot be taken.
Notes

Do not share this medication with others.If you are taking this medication for longer than 3 months, laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood cell counts, liver tests, urine test) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.

Storage

Store at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include: abdominal pain, persistent nausea, severe and repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, seizures, fainting, dangerously slowed breathing, inability to wake up.

How To Use

To treat a malaria infection, take this medication by mouth after a meal as a single dose, exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not crush or chew the tablets.
Take this drug with at least a full glass of fluid (8 ounces or 240 milliliters).
Drink lots of fluids (6 to 8 glasses a day) for the next 7 to 10 days.For prevention of malaria, take this medication by mouth, usually once weekly or once every 2 weeks, or as directed by your doctor.
Start this medication 1 to 2 days before you enter the malaria area, and continue for 4 to 6 weeks after leaving it.
Drink lots of fluids (6 to 8 glasses a day, each glass 8 ounces/240 milliliters) for the entire time that you are taking this medication and for at least 7 to 10 days after your last dose.Dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, and response to treatment.If you are taking this medication for prevention, it is very important to continue taking it exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level.
Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals.
To help you remember, take it at the same time each day for the prescribed time period.Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed.
Do not stop taking it before completing this prescription unless directed to do so by your doctor, even if you feel well or better from a malaria attack.
Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause prevention treatment to be ineffective, cause the amount of parasite to increase during treatment of a malaria attack, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.No drug treatment is completely effective in preventing malaria, and it is still possible to get malaria, no matter what prevention treatment is used.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of malaria (e.g., fever, chills, headache, other flu-like symptoms) while traveling or after return, especially for 2 months after completing this prescription.It is important to take measures to reduce contact with mosquitoes (e.g., using appropriate insect repellents, wearing clothes that cover most of the body, remaining in air-conditioned or well-screened areas, using mosquito nets, using insect sprays).
Obtain insect repellent before traveling.
The most effective insect repellents contain diethyltoluamide (DEET).
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend an appropriate strength of mosquito repellent for you or your children.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may occur.
This product may make you more sensitive to the sun and sunburn (see also Precautions section).
Less common side effects may include headache, lightheadedness, trouble sleeping, tiredness, or irritability.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mouth sores, diarrhea, increased sensitivity to touch, tingling/numbness/pain, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, hallucinations, nervousness), ringing in the ears, muscle weakness, severe dizziness.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bruising/bleeding, signs of low red blood cells (e.g., severe tiredness, pale lips/nails/skin, fast heartbeat, rapid breathing at rest), flattening of taste buds of the tongue, lower abdominal/back pain, bloody/pink urine, decreased urination, dry cough, wheezing, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, signs of severe liver problems (e.g., severe tiredness, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing skin/eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine).A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

See also Warning section.Before taking sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to either sulfadoxine or pyrimethamine; or to other "sulfa" drugs (e.g., sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole); or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used to prevent malaria for longer than 2 years if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: kidney problems, liver problems, low white blood cell count, low platelet count.This medication should not be used for any reason if you have: a certain type of low red blood cells (megaloblastic anemia due to low blood folate), a certain enzyme problem (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency-G6PD), a certain blood/liver problem (porphyria).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: seizures, kidney problems, liver problems, decreased blood folate from other conditions (e.g., problems with absorption of food, alcoholism), low red/white blood cell counts, low blood-clotting cells (platelets).This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps.
Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the blood cell problems.This medication should not be used if possible in children younger than 2 months because it contains a sulfa drug, which can cause a serious (possibly fatal) brain condition in some infants.
Consult your doctor for more details.This medication should not be used during the last 3 months of pregnancy.
During the first 6 months of pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This drug passes into breast milk.
Due to the possibility of severe side effects in your nursing infant, avoid breast-feeding while taking sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: other sulfa drugs (e.g., sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole), trimethoprim, chloroquine, penicillamine, methenamine.If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs that may cause a decrease in white blood cells (e.g., trimethoprim, proguanil, zidovudine, chemotherapy drugs such as methotrexate), lorazepam, warfarin, cyclosporine, PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), drugs that may lower blood folate levels (e.g., phenytoin).

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.