Section VIII. DRUG THERAPY FOR GENITOURINARY DISEASE/DISORDERS
3-27. DRUG THERAPY
A number of medications can be given to treat genitourinary system diseases
and disorders. Information about some of these medications is given here. The
medications are sulfisoxazole, trimethoprim, cotrimoxazole sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin,
tetracycline, nitroufurantoin, methenamine mandelate, and phenazopyridine.
3-28. SULFISOXAZOLE (GANTRISIN)
Sulfisoxazole is an antibacterial agent used in drug therapy for genitourinary
disease and disorders. Sulfonamides are very effective in treating a wide variety of
first-time infections. The dosage for sulfisoxazole is a loading dose of gm by mouth,
followed by 1-2 gm by mouth four times a day for a period of 10 to 14 days.
a. Adverse Reactions to Sulfisoxazole. Included are the following:
(1)
Nausea and vomiting.
(2)
Pain, arthralgia, joint pain.
(3)
Crystalluria (presence of crystals in the urine).
(4)
Renal damage.
(5)
Liver damage.
(6)
Serious blood dyscrasias (general morbid condition of the blood).
b. Contraindications for Sulfisoxazole. Generally, sulfonamides are
contraindicated for recurrent and chronic urinary tract infections. These drugs are not
recommended for long-time use because they alter fecal flora thus increasing the risk of
resistant infection. Sulfonamides should be avoided in the following patients:
(1) Pregnant women at term and nursing mothers. (This drug passes
through the placenta and is excreted in the milk.)
(2)
Individuals with impaired renal or hepatic function.
(3) Patients with hemolytic anemia (anemia from abnormal destruction of
red blood cells in the body).
MD0579
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