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What Causes Visual Hallucinations While On Sulfamethoxazole?
My father is 90 years old and has a urinary tract infection, for which he is taking a prescription (Sulfamethoxazole 800 MG-Trimethoprim 160 MG tablets - 1 tablet twice a day for 7 days). He claims he s seeing ants crawling everywhere. I looked and there are NO bugs anywhere. I think he s seeing spots before his eyes. He saw a doctor last week (who gave him the Rx) and they took a urine sample at that time. We haven t heard any response on the urine sample yet. He s ready to call an exterminator - but there are NO BUGS!
Tue, 10 Jan 2017
Hi,
It is possible that the urinary tract infection itself is the culprit or the drug itself may be the culprit. Elderly patients with UTIs often progress to develop "delirium" and may hallucinate. It is important you have your dad admitted to the hospital during this time as a delirious patient may injure himself or others.
The urine results will tell you the specific bacterium or bug causing the infection and will also mention which drug will work best to kill the bug. Either way Sulphamethoxazole should be stopped and another drug should be used to treat the UTI and hallucinations should resolve. He needs to be kept well hydrated and may need fluids and medications in a drip at the hospital.
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Raboobee
It is possible that the urinary tract infection itself is the culprit or the drug itself may be the culprit. Elderly patients with UTIs often progress to develop "delirium" and may hallucinate. It is important you have your dad admitted to the hospital during this time as a delirious patient may injure himself or others.
The urine results will tell you the specific bacterium or bug causing the infection and will also mention which drug will work best to kill the bug. Either way Sulphamethoxazole should be stopped and another drug should be used to treat the UTI and hallucinations should resolve. He needs to be kept well hydrated and may need fluids and medications in a drip at the hospital.
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Raboobee
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