Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my sulfamethoxazole

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your sulfamethoxazole using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for sulfamethoxazole, Canadian Prescription Savings for sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethoxazole Drug Coupons, sulfamethoxazole Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is sulfamethoxazole available in?

Accepted Answer

sulfamethoxazole is available as an oral tablet that contains 400 mg of sulfamethaxozole and 80 mg of trimethoprim or 800 mg of sulfamethaxozole and 160 mg of trimethoprim.

Question 3

What is sulfamethoxazole used for?

Accepted Answer

sulfamethoxazole is a combination antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, ear infections, lower respiratory tract infections, travelers’ diarrhea, and diarrhea caused by Shigella (Shigellosis).

Question 4

How does sulfamethoxazole work?

Accepted Answer

sulfamethoxazole is an antibiotic that contains two medications, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. They work together to stop bacteria from being able to make a chemical (folic acid) that’s needed for them to grow and survive.

Question 5

How do I take sulfamethoxazole?

Accepted Answer

sulfamethoxazole is typically taken by mouth twice a day for 5 to 14 days, depending on the infection being treated. Your dose might be different if you have kidney problems.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take sulfamethoxazole?

Accepted Answer

sulfamethoxazole is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to sulfonamides, have megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency, are less than 2 months of age, or have severe liver or kidney impairment.

Question 7

sulfamethoxazole Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of sulfamethoxazole include:  Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Loss of appetite Rash Hives Changes to blood sugar Skin sensitivity to sun or light

Question 8

sulfamethoxazole Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with sulfamethoxazole.

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on sulfamethoxazole

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with sulfamethoxazole:  Thiazides diurectics – An increased incidence of thrombocytopenia with purpura has been reported Warfarin – Prolonged prothrombin time Phenytoin – May block the metabolism and increase the effects of phenytoin.sulfamethoxazole may inhibit the hepatic metabolism of phenytoin (a CYP2C9 substrate) Methotrexate – May increase the effects of methotrexate Cyclosporine – May increase the risk of reversible nephrotoxicity in renal transplant recipients Digoxin – Increased digoxin blood levels can occur with concomitant sulfamethoxazole therapy Indomethacin – Increased sulfamethoxazole blood levels may occur in patients who are also receiving indomethacin TCAs – The efficacy of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) can decrease when coadministered with sulfamethoxazole

Question 10

Who makes sulfamethoxazole?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is sulfamethoxazole safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

sulfamethoxazole is not recommend to be used if you are pregnant as it may cause harm to your unborn baby. If you’re pregnant, make sure to tell your physician because they’ll most likely prescribe a different antibiotic for you.

Question 12

What is the brand name for sulfamethoxazole?

Accepted Answer

BACTRIM

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my sulfamethoxazole prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your sulfamethoxazole prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient sulfamethoxazole savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient sulfamethoxazole savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for sulfamethoxazole	Canadian Prescription Savings* for sulfamethoxazole	sulfamethoxazole Drug Coupon*	sulfamethoxazole Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of sulfamethoxazole?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for sulfamethoxazole	Canadian Prescription Savings* for sulfamethoxazole	sulfamethoxazole Drug Coupon*	sulfamethoxazole Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the sulfamethoxazole savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the sulfamethoxazole drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for sulfamethoxazole, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the sulfamethoxazole prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, sulfamethoxazole is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed sulfamethoxazole for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the sulfamethoxazole prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the sulfamethoxazole prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for sulfamethoxazole

If you are having trouble paying for your sulfamethoxazole medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for sulfamethoxazole you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
sulfamethoxazole is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers sulfamethoxazole
If sulfamethoxazole is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for sulfamethoxazole

If you are having trouble paying for your sulfamethoxazole medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for sulfamethoxazole you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers sulfamethoxazole
If sulfamethoxazole is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for sulfamethoxazole

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your sulfamethoxazole treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for sulfamethoxazole you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for sulfamethoxazole
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.