Michelle asked
Can I mix Bactrim DS in pudding and will my stomach get upset if I eat cereal a couple of hours after taking it?
Answer
Bactrim DS is a combination antibiotic consisting of:
- Sulfamethoxazole (800 mg)
- Trimethoprim (160 mg)
Bactrim DS is used to treat a variety of infections including:
- Urinary tract infections (UTI)
- Ear infections
- Travelers diarrhea
Bactrim may be taken with or without food. In addition, you may cut Bactrim in half or crush it and mix it with food, such as pudding or applesauce.
There are some disadvantages to crushing and mixing Bactrim however; the main concern being taste.
When crushed and even when mixed with pudding or applesauce, Bactrim is often to bitter for the palate.
Crushing up the medication also may limit or impair proper dosing as all of the medication powder may not end up being ingested. A significant amount of powder may be left on the container/device used to crush the medication as well as in the food residue that is left over in the food container after eating.
A more appropriate alternative may be using the drug in liquid form, as it is available as a suspension (sulfamethoxazole 200mg/5mL, trimethoprim 40mg/5mL). The suspension is generally more palatable for most individuals.
Common side effects of Bactrim include but are not limited to:
- Allergic reaction ("sulfa drug")
- Dyspepsia
- Headache
- Nausea
- Photosensitivity
- Rash
Summary
- Bactrim DS can be cut, crushed and mixed with food like pudding.
- Bactrim DS is available as an oral suspension and may be a good alternative to crushing tablets.
