Clinical pearls for sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim emphasize the therapeutic importance of hydration, sun protection requirements, excellent oral bioavailability, and indication-specific duration of therapy. Understanding these nuances optimizes treatment success and safety.
Oral therapy equals IV for most serious infections including osteomyelitis
Impact:
Hydration is therapeutic intervention, not supportive care
Impact:
Three-day UTI treatment as effective as longer courses
Impact:
Local resistance patterns trump national guidelines
Impact:
3-year-old with first UTI, local E. coli resistance 15%
8-year-old with MRSA abscess, penicillin allergic
10-year-old with acute osteomyelitis, MSSA on blood culture