What Is Bactrim Prescribed For?

Many people may wonder, "What is Bactrim prescribed for?" As a type of antibiotic, Bactrim^® (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) is approved to treat the following conditions:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as bladder infections
Ear infections
Acute worsening of chronic bronchitis
Shigellosis (a form of dysentery)
Traveler's diarrhea
A certain type of pneumonia known as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Bactrim is also approved to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in people with weakened immune systems at risk for the infection (such as people with HIV or AIDS).

Your healthcare provider may also recommend using Bactrim for something other than the conditions listed above. For example, the medicine is sometimes used to treat many other types of infections, particularly if they are caused by bacteria that are susceptible to Bactrim. Also, preventing (instead of treating) any type of infection is considered to be an off-label use of Bactrim. In some cases, it can be used off-label to treat acne.

(Click Bactrim Uses for more information, including a description of how it works, whether it is safe for children, and more.)