Doctors are sounding alarms about the potential dangers of a widely used antibiotic, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (also known by the brand name Bactrim), which has been linked to life-threatening reactions and even deaths in some cases.
What is Bactrim and How It Is Typically Used?
Taken by millions of people in the United States—around 3 million, in fact—Bactrim is commonly prescribed to treat conditions like mild chest infections, bacterial infections, and even acne.
It is often seen as a go-to solution for these problems, but recent reports are casting doubt on its safety for certain individuals.
A Teenager’s Struggle with Severe Reactions
One of the most heartbreaking cases comes from 12-year-old Emmie Bellucci from Texas.
Emmie was prescribed two courses of Bactrim to help manage her severe cystic acne—a painful skin condition that causes deep lumps.
Unfortunately, after taking the antibiotic, Emmie experienced an extreme allergic reaction that led to severe lung injury.
This reaction caused her lungs to shut down, leaving Emmie reliant on a breathing tube for several months.
Doctors believe that for young patients like Emmie, Bactrim can trigger an immune response that damages the lining of the lungs, resulting in respiratory failure.
This has raised alarm among medical professionals, leading to calls for more research into the long-term risks associated with the drug.
Doctors Call for Increased Research into Long-Term Risks
Dr. Jennifer Goldman, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, said, “These are good drugs, and this is a very rare condition, but it’s not commonly known, and needs to be.”
She went on to explain that there’s a “window of opportunity” to prevent serious complications if doctors can spot the signs early.
A History of Severe Side Effects and Fatalities
The investigation into Bactrim’s severe side effects dates back to 2018 when 16-year-old Zei Uwadia mysteriously fell ill and went into lung failure after taking the antibiotic.
After Zei’s case gained attention, doctors at Children’s Mercy Kansas City began to see similar cases in other teens.
Tragically, Zei passed away in 2019, just two weeks after leaving the hospital.
In 2021, Dr. Goldman and Dr. Jenna Miller published a report detailing their research on 14 young people who developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after using Bactrim.
ARDS, which affects around 200,000 Americans each year, leads to difficulty in oxygenating the bloodstream, often resulting in organ failure.
The report noted that 1 in 3 patients in their study died, and 20% needed lung transplants.
FDA Takes Action, But Experts Push for More Awareness
Following the release of the report, the FDA added a warning label to Bactrim about the potential for “severe pulmonary adverse reactions.”
While prescriptions have slightly decreased in recent years, experts stress that both doctors and patients must remain vigilant about the potential severe risks before Bactrim is prescribed.
Genetic Marker Linked to Severe Reactions
Dr. Miller and Dr. Goldman’s research uncovered a key finding—many of the patients who experienced the severe reaction all shared the same human leukocyte antigen (HLA) marker, a protein found on most cells.
This marker plays a crucial role in helping the immune system distinguish between the body’s own cells and foreign invaders.
It’s believed that in these patients, the HLA marker triggered an immune response that led to lung damage.
However, doctors still don’t know if Emmie carries this genetic marker, but Dr. Goldman noted that around 20 to 30% of the general population may have it.
While this marker is a crucial clue, more research is needed to better understand other genetic factors that could contribute to these dangerous reactions.
Efforts to Identify Risk Factors Before Prescription
The team at Children’s Mercy Kansas City is working to further investigate these genetic risk factors and hopes to develop testing to help doctors identify who may be at greater risk before prescribing Bactrim.
Emmie, who remains in the hospital, believes that such research could save countless lives in the future.
Emmie’s Recovery and Her Family’s Efforts
Emmie’s road to recovery is long. She and her family have been sharing updates on social media, documenting her journey as she takes steps toward recovery.
Her breathing tube has been removed, and she’s starting to walk around the hospital, though it’s unclear when she will finally be able to go home.
The Bellucci family has also set up a GoFundMe page to help with the mounting medical expenses, and they remain hopeful that their daughter will make a full recovery as more attention is brought to the potentially dangerous side effects of Bactrim.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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