Brand & Generic Names

Gantrisin
Novosoxazole
Sulfafurazole

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Sulfa (sulfonamide)

Uses

Treatment for urinary tract infections responsive to this drug.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. Instructions to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
Liquid--Shake carefully before measuring.

When to take:
At the same times each day, evenly spaced.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Interferes with a nutrient (folic acid) necessary for growth and reproduction of bacteria. Will not attack viruses.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 5 days to affect infection.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Less urine, bloody urine, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Itchy skin, rash.
• Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, skin sensitive to sun.

Infrequent:

• Red, peeling or blistering skin; sore throat; fever; swallowing difficulty; unusual bruising; aching joints or muscles; jaundice.
• Dizziness, tiredness, weakness.

Rare:

Painful urination; low back pain; numbness, tingling, burning feeling in feet and hands, bloody urine, neck swelling.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to any sulfa drug.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are allergic to carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, oral antidiabetics or thiazide or loop diuretics.
• If you are allergic by nature.
• If you have liver or kidney disease.
• If you have porphyria.
• If you have developed anemia from use of any drug.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Don't give to infants younger than 1 month.

Prolonged use:

• May enlarge thyroid gland.
• You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs not responsive to this drug.
• Request frequent blood counts, liver and kidney function studies.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel dizzy. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Drink 2 quarts of liquid each day to prevent adverse reactions.
• If you require surgery, tell anesthetist you take sulfa.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Aminobenzoates	Possible decreased sulfisoxazole
	effect.
Anticoagulants*,	Increased anticoagulant effect.
Anticonvulsants*,	Toxic effect on brain.
Aspirin	Increased sulfa effect.
Calcium	Decreased sulfa effect.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Flecainide	Possible decreased blood cell
	production in bone marrow.
Hepatotoxic agents*	Increased liver toxicity.
Isoniazid	Possible anemia.
Mecamylamine	Decreased antibiotic effect.
Methenamine	Possible kidney blockage.
Methotrexate	Increased possibility of toxic side
	effects from methotrexate.
Oxyphenbutazone	Increased sulfa effect.
Para-aminosalicylic	Decreased sulfa effect.
Penicillins*	Decreased penicillin effect.
Phenylbutazone	Increased sulfa effect.
Probenecid	Increased sulfa effect.
Sulfinpyrazone	Increased sulfa effect.
Sulfonureas*	May increase hypoglycemic action.
Tocainide	Possible decreased blood cell
	production in bone marrow.
Trimethoprim	Increased sulfa effect.
Zidovudine	Increased risk of toxic effect of
	zidovudine.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased alcohol effect.
Less than 2 quarts	Kidney damage.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.