Worst Pills, Best Pills

An expert, independent second opinion on more than 1,800 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements

trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (BACTRIM, BACTRIM DS, PRIMSOL, SEPTRA, SEPTRA DS, SULFATRIM PEDIATRIC)


DISEASE AND DRUG FAMILY INFORMATION

Search results below include Disease and Drug Family Information where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion.

Antibiotics
Antibiotics (drugs used to treat bacterial infections) are overwhelmingly misprescribed in the United States. Despite congressional hearings and numerous academic studies on this issue, it has become the general consensus that 40 to 60% of all antibiotics in this country are misprescribed. New studies continue to confirm the fact that a large proportion of antibiotic prescribing for both children and adults continues to be inappropriate.

DRUG AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PROFILES

A comprehensive review of the safety and effectiveness of this drug. If the drug is not a Do Not Use product, information on adverse effects, drug interactions and how to use the medication are included.
Search results below include Drug and Dietary Supplement Profiles where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion.


WORST PILLS, BEST PILLS NEWSLETTER ARTICLES

Search results below include Worst Pills, Best Pills Newsletter Articles where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion.

Important Drug Interactions for the Antidepressant Nortriptyline (PAMELOR)
February 2023
Patients taking the frequently prescribed antidepressant nortriptyline (PAMELOR) should be aware that it has clinically important and potentially dangerous interactions with many other prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Important Drug Interactions for Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
March 2022
Patients taking any of the widely prescribed angiotensin receptor blockers used to treat hypertension, among other disorders, should be aware that they have clinically important interactions with many other commonly used prescription and over-the-counter medications.
For Men With Urinary Tract Infections Without Fever, 7-Day Antibiotic Treatment Seems to Be Enough
January 2022
In this article, we discuss results of new research indicate that in men with acute UTIs and no fever, a 7-day course of oral antibiotics appears to be just as good for eradicating the infection as the commonly used 14-day course. Importantly, shorter courses of treatment can reduce the risk of adverse effects of antibiotic therapy.
Important Drug Interactions for the Seizure Drug Phenytoin
September 2019
Patients taking the commonly prescribed epilepsy drug phenytoin (DILANTIN, PHENYTEK), one of the oldest epilepsy drugs, should be aware that it has clinically impor¬tant interactions with many other prescription and over-the-counter medications. Some of these interactions can lead to phenytoin toxicity, and others can lead to ineffective seizure control.
Antibiotics Not Always Necessary for Acute COPD Exacerbations
September 2019
Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which are characterized by increased shortness of breath, cough, sputum production and wheezing. But for some patients, the risks of such antibiotic treatment outweigh the benefits.
Medications that Cause Taste Disorders
April 2019
Drugs are the most frequent cause of taste disturbances. In this article, we identify more than 60 commonly used prescription medications that have been linked to problems with taste.
Drug-Induced Tremor
July 2018
Tremor is the single most common movement disorder, affecting millions of people in the U.S. If you have tremors, could one of your drugs be the cause? Read this article to learn the answer.
Drugs That Are Most Likely to Land Patients in the Emergency Room
June 2017
Many adverse drug reactions are severe enough to cause serious injury, hospitalization and even death. Find out which outpatient medications are most likely to cause adverse events that necessitate a visit to the emergency room.
Drugs That Cause Sun-Related Skin Reactions
July 2016
Summer is a terrific time for healthy outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, biking and swim¬ming. But for an unlucky few, certain medications can lead to adverse skin reactions following exposure to the sun. Find out whether you are at risk and how to protect yourself.
A Guide to Drugs for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections
May 2016
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common, accounting for more than 10 million visits to doctors’ offices and 2 million to 3 million emergency department visits in the U.S. in 2007. Hear our take on which antibiotics are safest for treating these infections.
Risk of Sudden Death With Some Hypertension Drug-Antibiotic Combinations
June 2015
Find out which commonly used antibiotic can increase your risk of sudden death if it is combined with either an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the U.S.
Combining Diabetes Drugs With Certain Antibiotics May Cause Dangerous Drops in Blood Sugar Levels
November 2014
Serious adverse reactions often occur when different drugs are taken together. Find out which antibiotics diabetic patients taking glipizide (GLUCOTROL, GLUCOTROL XL) or glyburide (DIABETA, GLUCOVANCE, GLYNASE) should avoid because of an increased risk of life-threatening drops in blood sugar levels.
New Advice on Treating Sinus Infections With Antibiotics
August 2012
Learn the details of the large problem of misprescribing antibiotics for sinusitis, symptoms of the condition, limited indications for antibiotic use and alternative treatments for this very common illness.
New Drug Interaction With Widely Used Antibacterial Drug and Common Diuretic
December 2011
Find out how using a combination of two commonly prescribed drugs (a total of 30 million prescriptions filled annually in the U.S.) can cause life-threatening increases in blood potassium, a risk that has led to hospitalization.
Interactions Between Methotrexate (TREXALL) and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and Many Other Drugs
January 2011
This article discusses the dangerous interactions that can occur when using methotrexate (TREXALL) with certain other drugs. See our list of 27 drugs you should never take with methotrexate.
Oral Drugs for Diabetes: Avoiding Hypoglycemia
May 2010
After explaining the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) the article lists 42 prescription drugs that can interact with one or more diabetes drugs to increase the chance of hypoglycemia.
Muscle Damage from Interactions Between Statins and Other Commonly Prescribed Drugs
July 2009
The article lists 38 prescription drugs that can harmfully interact with statin drugs. The article also advises that No matter what statin you are taking and regardless of any interacting drugs, you should notify your prescriber immediately if you develop muscle pain, weakness or a darkening of your urine. .
Drug-Induced Eye Toxicity: 62 Drugs That Can Cause Eye Disease
April 2008
This article, based on a recent review in Drug Safety, lists 62 prescription drugs that can cause eye disease. The range of drug-induced eye diseases includes diseases of the eyelids, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal damage and optic nerve damage. As is true for drug-induced diseases in other parts of the body, you should consider newly developed eye symptoms beginning shortly after starting a new medication to be possibly drug-induced and consult a physician.
Improper Antibiotic Treatment for Bladder Infections
June 2004
In a recent study of more than 13,000 women going to a doctor because of a bladder infection, more than 95% of whom had an acute bladder infection (not a recurrent one), only 37% were prescribed the preferred treatment for this condition:
Drug Induced Psychiatric Symptoms (Part 2)
November 2002
This is the second of a two-part series on drug-induced psychiatric symptoms that began in last month’s Worst Pills, Best Pills News. The information is based on the July 8, 2002 issue of The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics. Article lists drugs and adverse effects.