Sivextro vs. Bactrim for Skin Infection and Pneumonia: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Sivextro (tedizolid) and Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) are both antibiotics, but they treat different types of infections and belong to different drug classes. Sivextro (tedizolid) is an oxazolidinone antibiotic used mainly for skin infections and is taken once daily for 6 days. It is only available as a brand-name medication. On the other hand, Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) is a combination of a sulfonamide and an antifolate antibiotic, used to treat a variety of infections including urinary tract infections, ear infections, and lung infections. Bactrim is available as a lower-cost generic and is typically taken twice daily. While both medications can cause side effects like nausea and diarrhea, Bactrim can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun and is not recommended for people with sulfa allergies. Additionally, Bactrim is not recommended during pregnancy, whereas the safety of Sivextro during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not well-studied.

Sivextro

(tedizolid)

Get free coupons

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim

Get free coupons

Summary for Sivextro

Prescription only

Sivextro (tedizolid) is an antibiotic used to treat skin infections, such as cellulitis. It's taken once daily for 6 days. Sivextro (tedizolid) is available only as a brand-name medication in tablet and intravenous (IV) forms. Some common effects of this medication include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Indications for Sivextro

Certain skin infections in adults and children ages 12 years and older

Pros and Cons for Sivextro

Pros

Only needs to be taken once a day
Total treatment lasts only 6 days
Less likely to cause gut-related side effects than linezolid (Zyvox), a similar medication

Cons

Only approved for skin infections
Not for children under 12 years of age
Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding females isn't well-studied

Common Side Effects for Sivextro

Nausea (7%)
Headache (5%)
Diarrhea (4%)

Warnings for Sivextro

Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
Development of drug-resistant bacteria

Summary for Bactrim

Prescription only

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (sometimes known as SMZ/TMP) is a combination medication containing an antifolate and sulfa antibiotic. It's used to treat different types of infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), ear infections, and lung infections. This antibiotic has two different brand names, Bactrim and Septra, and it's also available as a lower-cost generic. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth, typically twice daily for most types of infections. This antibiotic also comes as a suspension under the brand name Sulfatrim for people who can't swallow tablets and as an injection for people in the hospital. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and rash.

Indications for Bactrim

Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Lower respiratory tract infection (e.g., Pneumocystis pneumonia, infections related to bronchitis)
Diarrhea caused by Shigella (shigellosis)
Travelers' diarrhea - tablet or liquid only
Ear infections - tablet or liquid only

Pros and Cons for Bactrim

Pros

Treats many types of bacterial infections
Can be given to children as young as 2 months old to treat certain infections
Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

Can upset your stomach and make your skin more sensitive to the sun
Not the best choice for people with liver or kidney problems
Not recommended if you're pregnant
Can't take if you have a sulfa allergy

Common Side Effects for Bactrim

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Rash
Hives
Skin sensitivity to sun or light

Warnings for Bactrim

Not for use during pregnancy
Severe allergic reactions and skin reactions
Low platelet counts and risk for bleeding
Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
Low sodium levels and high potassium levels
Blood cell-related problems
Problems with processing phenylalanine - for people with phenylketonuria (PKU) only