Living with HIV in the Philippines: Email 610: Side Effects of Co-trimoxazole

Hi guys who has bad experience on Cotrimoxazole? Have you experienced white patches inside you mouth? And rashes on your skin ( red rashes very painful and itchy) what did your doctor advise to you? Tnx

POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE

Hi there.

Thank you for your email.

Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your HIV doctor if you are having problems with your medicine. In your case, since you think you are getting some symptoms, which may or may not be related to co-trimoxazole, it is best for you to go back to your hubs and get a consultation.

For the benefit of everyone, I made a research on the side effects of co-trimoxazole:

(Source: http://www.drugs.com/sfx/co-trimoxazole-side-effects.html)

Along with its needed effects, co-trimoxazole (sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim:

Rare

Abdominal or stomach pain
black, tarry stools
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
changes in skin color
chest pain
chills
cough or hoarseness
dark urine
diarrhea
dizziness
fever with or without chills
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headache
itching
joint or muscle pain
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
nausea
pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
rash
red irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
shortness of breath
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
swollen or painful glands
tightness in the chest
unpleasant breath odor
unusual bleeding or bruising
vomiting of blood
wheezing
yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach tenderness
back, leg, or stomach pains
bleeding gums
blindness or vision changes
blisters, hives, or itching
bloating
blood in the urine or stools
bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, painful, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
burning of the face or mouth
chest pain
cloudy urine
confusion
constipation
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
convulsions
cracks in the skin
decreased frequency or amount of urine
diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with swallowing
fainting spells
general body swelling
general feeling of discomfort or illness
hair loss
hearing loss
hives
increased blood pressure
increased thirst
indigestion
irregular heartbeat
large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of heat from the body
muscle or joint pain
nosebleeds
not able to pass urine
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
pain or burning while urinating
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
raised red swellings on the skin, the buttocks, legs, or ankles
redness of the white part of the eyes
redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
soreness of the muscles
stiff neck or back
swelling of the face, hands, legs, and feet
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual weight loss
weakness in the hands or feet
weakness or heaviness of the legs
weight gain

Some side effects of sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common