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What is the most important information I should know about sulfisoxazole?

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Sulfisoxazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What is sulfisoxazole?

Sulfisoxazole is a sulfonamide ("sulfa") antibiotic that helps keep bacteria from growing in your body.

Sulfisoxazole is used to treat or prevent many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as bladder infections, ear infections, or meningitis.

Sulfisoxazole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking sulfisoxazole?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to sulfisoxazole or to any other sulfa drugs such as Azulfidine, Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra, or Sulfazine. Women who are in late pregnancy or are breast-feeding should not take sulfisoxazole.

Before using sulfisoxazole, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma;

• diabetes;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• anemia (a lack of red blood cells);

• a condition called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency;

• a history of any type of allergy; or

• if you are unable to urinate.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take sulfisoxazole.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Sulfisoxazole can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) and other problems in a newborn if the mother has taken this medication late in pregnancy, Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with sulfisoxazole. Sulfisoxazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby, especially if the baby is younger than 2 months old. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 months old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take sulfisoxazole?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may take sulfisoxazole with or without food.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. While you are taking sulfisoxazole, drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. This will help prevent kidney stones or crystals in the urine.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood and/or urine will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using sulfisoxazole. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Sulfisoxazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not give this medication to another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do. Store sulfisoxazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.