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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about sulfisoxazole?
Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely cleared. Sulfisoxazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking sulfisoxazole and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking sulfisoxazole?
You should 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.
To make sure you can safely take sulfisoxazole, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
asthma;
diabetes;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
anemia (a lack of red blood cells);
an enzyme deficiency called G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency;
a history of any type of allergy; or
if you are unable to urinate.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether sulfisoxazole will harm 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 while using this medication.
Sulfisoxazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking sulfisoxazole, especially if your 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.