Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jul 19, 2022

Common Questions


Frequently Asked Questions About Bactrim


Why do you have to drink a lot of water with Bactrim?

You should take Bactrim with a full glass of water and stay well hydrated during your treatment with this medicine. Drinking plenty of water can help prevent some of the side effects of Bactrim, such as crystal formation in the urine, which can lead to kidney stones. 



How long does it take for Bactrim to work?

Bactrim starts working within 1-4 hours of a dose. However, it can take a few days for your infection symptoms to improve and for you to start feeling better. Be sure to finish the course of Bactrim antibiotics as prescribed by your physician, even if you start to feel well after a few days. Stopping Bactrim too early can lead to incomplete treatment of your infection and cause it to come back and be harder to treat.



Is Bactrim penicillin?

No, Bactrim is a combination antibiotic that contains sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. It is not penicillin. Bactrim cannot treat all types of infections. Never take Bactrim unless prescribed by a healthcare provider. 



Is Bactrim best for UTI?

Bactrim may be used to treat UTIs. However, Bactrim contains two active ingredients - sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim - and doctors often choose a single effective antibacterial agent to treat uncomplicated UTIs rather than the combination. This helps to prevent the development of drug-resistant bacteria. Your healthcare professional will decide on the best antibiotic for your UTI. 



Does Bactrim treat chlamydia?

No, Bactrim is not effective against chlamydia or gonorrhea.  



What is the price of Bactrim without insurance?

Without insurance, Bactrim can be as high as $22.42, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $9.37 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. 



What is the price of Bactrim with insurance?

Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on Bactrim—copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins.

You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for Bactrim. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not.