Long term Bactrim

[Jamok]

Hi, I’m a bit confused about Bactrim in regards to long-term daily used to prevent infection beyond the first year after transplant. Initially, my Transplant Center said I would be on it for life but then later said I could hold for now due to stomach issues since they’re not sure how effective it is after one year. What does your center say?

[Kidme]

Hi there, My clinic took me off Bactrim (and Valcyte and temporarily Myfortic) at about 3-4 months post transplant because I had the BK virus. Eventually I went back on the Myfortic and the Valcyte but not the Bactrim. Re: stomach issues I took ranitidine for some years (I'm 11 years post transplant). At some point they weren't prescribing it any more so they gave me a script for a similar drug but it didn't seem to work as well as the ranitidine so I just went without and it hasn't been a big problem for the post part. I think it's like untangling a ball of yarn with which drugs cause which side effects.

[x8nakamo]

I did a little research on this matter recently. Bactrim tactics depend on your region. Some clinics keep it lifelong as there are a lot of bacterial infection around.

[Winner76]

Hi, I’m in Ireland and was never on Bactrim but I took Valcyte for over a year until the clinic realised I was still taking it 🤦‍♀️ they stopped it then and said I shouldn’t of been on it that long. I think it’s because the first year your immune system is at its lowest and needs it. I also stopped myfortic soon after transplant because of BK virus.

[KathleenMA]

I was on a prophylactic regime of Bactrim and Cipro switching every 90 days BEFORE transplant for years and years. I had breakthrough kidney infections and this solved that problem. A couple of years after transplant (2016), I asked if I could stop the antibiotics, my nephrologist wanted to hold off. My CKD was caused by reflux and she didn't think the new kidney solved that problem, I think she said the muscle that prevents reflux does not work after transplant. I asked again a in 2022 and we stopped the antibiotics, I have had no issues with UTIs or kidney infections since.

[Eyak1971]

Have been on bactrim for 5 years now. Take it 3 times a week. Have taken a probiotic on occasion to counter stomach issues. Noticed it does help when I feel a sinus infection starting on the weekend. Like all medication there are side effects when you take it and when you stop. It all comes down to trusting your doctors knowledge. If you truly have concerns your doctor should be your resource. I have never had issues in trusting my renal doctor because he takes my questions seriously and will do the research if necessary. I cannot say that about other doctors I have had.

[Ewyman]

Hi, I’m post transplant six months ago and they told me Bactrim would be 3 months, now I’m post 6 months and I’m done with it.

[Sapphire187]

I had a transplant two months ago and my transplant nephrologist told me I would be on Bactrim for one year. I'm in the northeastern U.S.