Skip to content
RxHelp
Sulfonamides WHO AWaRe: Access

Sulfamethoxazole — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies

Compare real Sulfamethoxazole prices at US and Canadian pharmacies, see official FDA uses and warnings, and find generic alternatives.

Drug class
Sulfonamides
Generic available
Yes

What is the typical out-of-pocket cost for Sulfamethoxazole without insurance coverage?

The price of a Sulfamethoxazole prescription varies based on the specific infection being treated, the dosage prescribed, and the quantity dispensed. Full retail pricing typically ranges around $64.69, though patients may find lower prices by comparing costs across different pharmacies. It is important to note that sulfamethoxazole as a standalone medication is not available for prescription in the United States; it is only dispensed in combination formulations, most commonly paired with trimethoprim.

What out-of-pocket expense should I expect if my insurance covers Sulfamethoxazole?

Your copay amount for sulfamethoxazole depends on your specific insurance plan, the prescribed dosage, and quantity. Because sulfamethoxazole is not available as a standalone drug in the U.S., your actual costs would apply to combination formulations containing trimethoprim. Comparing your insurance copay with discounted pricing through pharmacy discount programs or by shopping among different pharmacies can help you find the most economical option for your prescription.

Is Sulfamethoxazole covered by Medicare, and what would the cost be?

Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans do not provide coverage for sulfamethoxazole. Since the standalone version of this antibiotic is not prescribed in the United States, this is largely a moot consideration for American patients; the relevant coverage question would concern the combination formulation with trimethoprim.

What brand names is Sulfamethoxazole sold under?

Sulfamethoxazole as a single-ingredient product was formerly branded as Gantanol, manufactured by Roche, but this formulation has been discontinued and is no longer available. Today in the United States, sulfamethoxazole appears only in combination with trimethoprim, available under the brand name Bactrim (made by Roche) as well as numerous generic alternatives from other manufacturers.

Sulfamethoxazole prices at US pharmacies

Sulfamethoxazole — bottle, 500gm of , qty 345

PharmacyRetail priceWith discount card
Kroger Pharmacy Lowest $55.81 $52.81
Harris Teeter Pharmacy $55.81 $52.81
Walgreens $60.05 $57.05
Walmart Neighborhood Market $60.06 $57.06
Walmart Pharmacy $60.06 $57.06
Publix $61.61 $58.61
Food Lion $60.99
Costco $64.70

Sulfamethoxazole prices at Canadian pharmacies

No Canadian pharmacy pricing was found for Sulfamethoxazole in our latest data pull.

Canada prices are converted to USD at time of collection and shown per tablet where available. Ordering from Canadian pharmacies is legal for personal use in most cases but subject to FDA/CBSA rules — see US vs Canada, explained.

What is Sulfamethoxazole used for?

Sulfamethoxazole is a generic antibiotic used to treat and prevent various bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, meningitis, middle ear infections, food poisoning, E. coli infections, and eye infections. It is also used alongside other medications to combat malaria or toxoplasmosis. The standalone generic form and its brand-name counterpart, Gantanol, are not obtainable in the United States. However, sulfamethoxazole paired with trimethoprim—marketed as Bactrim—remains one of the most frequently prescribed antibiotics available in the U.S. market.

Available forms

bottle

Related & alternative drugs

Warnings & interactions

This is a summary of the official FDA label text, not personalized medical advice. It does not list every possible interaction or side effect. Always tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine and supplement you take.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim tablets are contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to trimethoprim or sulfonamides, in patients with a history of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia with use of trimethoprim and/or sulfonamides, and in patients with documented megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim tablets are contraindicated in pediatric patients less than 2 months of age.

Warnings

WARNINGS Embryofetal Toxicity Some epidemiologic studies suggest that exposure to sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations, particularly neural tube defects, cardiovascular malformations, urinary tract defects, oral clefts, and club foot. If sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be advised of the potential hazards to the fetus.

Known drug interactions

Drug Interactions Potential for Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim to Affect Other Drugs Trimethoprim is an inhibitor of CYP2C8 as well as OCT2 transporter. Sulfamethoxazole is an inhibitor of CYP2C9. Caution is recommended when sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is co-administered with drugs that are substrates of CYP2C8 and 2C9 or OCT2. In elderly patients concurrently receiving certain diuretics, primarily thiazides, an increased incidence of thrombocytopenia with purpura has been reported. It has been reported that sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim may prolong the prothrombin time in patients who are receiving the anticoagulant warfarin (a CYP2C9 substrate).

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Pregnancy While there are no large, well-controlled studies on the use of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in pregnant women, Brumfitt and Pursell, 10 in a retrospective study, reported the outcome of 186 pregnancies during which the mother received either placebo or sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. The incidence of congenital abnormalities was 4.5% (3 of 66) in those who received placebo and 3.3% (4 of 120) in those receiving sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.

Sulfamethoxazole, by the numbers

Additional public data points beyond retail pricing — useful context, not a price quote.

7
FDA-listed manufacturers (Orange Book)

Frequently asked questions

How much does Sulfamethoxazole cost without insurance?
Retail (no-insurance) prices we found for Sulfamethoxazole range up to about $64.70 depending on pharmacy, form, and quantity. With a free pharmacy discount card, the lowest price we found was $52.81. Your actual price depends on the exact strength, quantity, and pharmacy — see the tables above.
Is there a generic version of Sulfamethoxazole?
Yes — our pricing data includes at least one generic listing for Sulfamethoxazole. Generics contain the same active ingredient and are typically the lowest-cost option; check the price tables above for the generic rows specifically.
What drug class is Sulfamethoxazole in?
Sulfamethoxazole belongs to the sulfonamides class of antibiotics. WHO classifies it as an 'Access' antibiotic under its AWaRe stewardship framework.

Learn more about Sulfamethoxazole

In-depth answers to common Sulfamethoxazole questions, fact-checked against the sources cited in each.

What exactly is Sulfamethoxazole and how does it work?

Sulfamethoxazole is an antibiotic belonging to the sulfonamide class—a group of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. It functions by inhibiting bacterial synthesis of folate (vitamin B9), which bacteria require to produce DNA and reproduce. By blocking this critical metabolic pathway, sulfamethoxazole effectively halts bacterial growth. The drug addresses a wide spectrum of bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, meningitis, middle ear infections, food poisoning caused by listeria, E. coli infections, and conjunctivitis. It also serves as an adjunctive treatment for malaria and toxoplasmosis when used with other therapeutic agents. While sulfamethoxazole as a monotherapy is unavailable in the United States, its combination with trimethoprim—sold as Bactrim—remains among the most widely prescribed antibiotics in clinical practice.

What adverse effects are associated with Sulfamethoxazole?

Mild to moderate side effects commonly reported include gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, stomach discomfort, and diarrhea, along with dizziness and lightheadedness. Serious adverse effects include lowered red and white blood cell counts, hepatitis (liver inflammation), seizures, hallucinations, and depression. Allergic reactions occur with considerable frequency and range from mild manifestations—hives, itching, and rash—to life-threatening conditions. The most severe allergic responses involve epidermal necrolysis (characterized by widespread blistering and skin cell death across the body) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a severe systemic skin reaction). When these two severe conditions occur together, mortality rates reach approximately 50 percent. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any signs of an allergic reaction to sulfamethoxazole. This listing does not encompass all possible side effects; discuss potential adverse reactions with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before beginning treatment.


Sources

Page info

Prices last checked 2026-08-21. Reviewed against FDA and DailyMed official sources — see our review process. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.