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Septrin Forte Side Effects

The U.S. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that more than 14 million Americans develop urinary tract infections each year, accounting for approximately 8.3 million doctor visits annually. Left untreated, urinary tract infections have the potential to cause a spread of serious infection to your bladder or kidneys. Fortunately, medications are available to help kill the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections, including the combination antibiotic sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Brand names for this common combination antibiotic include Bactrin, Septra and Septrin Forte. Despite its effectiveness, Septrin Forte is not for everyone as it presents risks for side effects and complications in some patients.

  1. Hyperkalemia

    • One potentially dangerous complication of Septrin Forte usage is an increased amount of potassium in in blood stream, which occurs in more than 10 percent of users. In some cases, this elevation of potassium levels leads to a condition known as hyperkalemia. Symptoms of hyperkalemia include irregular heartbeat, nausea and a slowed pulse. Left untreated over time, hyperkalemia often causes cardiac arrest and permanent loss of muscle control. Because of this, it is important to notify your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of hyperkalemia.

    Common Side Effects

    • The other common side effects of Septrin Forte are less serious in nature and occur in between 0.1 and 10 percent of users. Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite occur frequently. It is also common to experience headaches or skin rashes while taking Septrin Forte. As the antibiotic works to destroy harmful bacteria in your body, it frequently kills bacteria that occurs naturally in your body. This increases your likelihood of developing yeast infections inside of your mouth or genitals.

    Other Side Effects

    • Septrin Forte infrequently causes a number of other troublesome or annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Neurological and psychological symptoms of the drug include depression, apathy, nervousness, loss of coordination, vertigo and ringing in your ears. Occasionally, patients report joint or muscle pain while taking Septrin Forte. It is also possible to experience coughing or shortness of breath related to use of the drug.

    Serious Skin and Blood Effects

    • In rare cases, the use of Septrin Forte leads to the development of serious skin or blood conditions. Septrin Forte causes the onset of both Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in some patients. Both conditions are serious skin infections that are potentially fatal without prompt medical attention. Some patients develop a shortage of blood platelets or thrombocytopenia due to Septrin Forte, creating a risk for bleeding around and inside the brain. Others experience various types of red blood cell shortages or anemia, resulting in weakness and poor circulation. Leukopenia or a decrease in white blood cells levels also is possible while taking Septrin Forte. Patients who develop the condition frequently contract infections due to decreased immune system functioning.

    Other Risks

    • Septrin Forte has the potential to cause a number of other serious medical complications. Some patients experience serious allergic reactions, such as anaphylactic shock or severe swelling due to a hypersensitivity to Septrin Forte. In rare cases, use of the drug leads to serious neurological side effects, such as hallucinations, convulsions, damage to your nerves and infections of the spinal fluid known as meningitis. Inflammation or damage to your liver or kidneys also is possible while taking Septrin Forte. Infrequently, use of the antibiotic combination results in pseudomembranous colitis, a severe infection of your large intestine.

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