AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question I have sinusitis, I know this because I have had it frequently in the past. I also have a good quantity of bactrim/sulfamethoxazole that was prescribed to me a while back by my dermatologist for acne treatment. The pills are Bactrim DS pills, 800mg each. I know that these can be used to treat sinusitis. I checked and the pills that I have do not expire until November 2008, and I have enough to take 3 per day for a 10 day period. I did not end up using them for my acne, so there is no chance that my system would be immune to them, it would definitely work. Right now I am without health insurance and cannot afford an out-of-pocket doctor visit. I would like to use the bactrim that I have to get rid of my sinus infection, but I want to make sure I take the right amount. What would be the usual dosage prescribed for this medication to treat sinusitis? Thank you for your help.
Answer Nicole
As a pharmacist I cannot reccomend the use of prescription medicines for anything other than the intended purpose. Use of Bactrim would therefore have to be your decision (and in recognition that the tablets could not be used in the future).
Not having used Bactrim does not necessarily mean that you would be "immune" to them, how effective they are depends on the organism that is causing the sinusitis and their sensitivity to antibiotics. If the sinusitis is viral in origin then no antibiotic would be effective, other than for mopping up any secondary bacterial infection.
My suggestion would be to hold off using the Bactrim for as long as possible and try other means to reduce the congestion and allow the sinuses to drain. Firstly, I would suggest using a steam inhalation containg a few crystals of menthol and/or eucalyptus or half a teaspoon of vapour rub (e.g. Vick) in a bowl of hot, not boiling water. Inhale the vapours two or three times a day and place a bowl (safely) near your bed at night. The vapours will moisten the airways and promote opening off the passages. You may additionally use a non-sedating decongestant (e.g. Pseudoephedrine) either as tablets/capsules or nasal drops/spray. These will comstrict the blood vessels in the nasal area and allow better airflow and drainage. Decongestants should however only be used for a maximum of three days, after which they are likely to make the problems worse.
Pain and fever should be managed with simple analgesics such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen.
