Children Age 2 - 13 used as guinea pigs in a clinical study mixing a potent oral antibiotic (TMP/SMX) with Nix (Permethrin) for head lice
That combination is now being marketed to doctors. Nix is manufactured by Pfizer/Warner-Lambert. TMP/SMX is manufacturer by Hoffman-La Roche, Inc. as Bactrim or Septra
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Subject: INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2001 09:15:59 -0400
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
This is from May 2001 Pharmacy Newsletter:
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
YOU MIGHT SEE physicians try TMP/SMX (Bactrim, Septra) for head lice.
A new article in Pediatrics shows that combining TMP/SMX
with Nix (permethrin) works better than either agent alone
The lice ingest TMP/SMX form blood in the scalp.
TMP/SMX then kills the nutrient-producing bacteria that live in the lice.
The preliminary evidence looks good…but there are
concerns
TMP/SMX can cause nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity
reactions. Overuse may also
contribute to antibiotic resistance.
The misuse and overuse of Nix and other OTC pediculicides
are major reasons why resistant head lice are a problem.
Head Lice may be nasty, itchy and very contagious, but the POISONS sold to get "rid" of lice are even worse! Head lice are not known to cause any disease in the USA - these infections are not even tracked by our public health agencies including the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention. There are so many safe and far more effective alternatives to any of these POISONS - why is it any physician STILL chooses to use any dangerous "control"? I am writing an article for the "back to school" issue of the Alternative Medicine Digest - hopefully this next school year will be a safe one for our children and the end of head lice infestations in the USA! Steven
[Read Study: PEDIATRICS Vol. 107 No. 3 March 2001, p. e30 }
(ADDITIONAL NOTES: What are TMP-SMX side effects?
TMP-SMX is a sulfa drug, and reactions to it are common. Toxicity to TMP-SMX is even more frequent in people with HIV infection, with up to 50 percent developing one or more side effects. The most common reactions include fever; skin rash; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; low red blood cell count (anemia); low white blood cell count
(leukopenia); and liver and kidney function abnormalities.
TMP/SMX is used for many bacterial infections. Unfortunately, up to one third of the people who take it get an allergic reaction.
TMP/SMX can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a very serious skin rash. http://www.aidsinfonet.org/535-tmpsmx.html
Sulfamethoxazole, an ingredient in Bactrim (TMP/SMX), is one of a group of drugs called sulfonamides, which prevent the growth of
bacteria in the body. Rare but sometimes fatal reactions have occurred with use of sulfonamides. These reactions include
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe eruptions around the mouth, anus, or eyes), progressive disintegration of the outer layer of
the skin, sudden and severe liver damage, a severe blood disorder (agranulocytosis), and a lack of red and white blood cells
because of a bone marrow disorder.
Notify your doctor at the first sign of an adverse reaction such as skin rash, sore throat, fever, joint pain, cough, shortness of
breath, abnormal skin paleness, reddish or purplish skin spots, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.
Frequent blood counts by a doctor are recommended for patients taking sulfonamide drugs.
http://www.healthsqr.com/newrx/BAC1046.HTM
Symptoms of an overdose of Bactrim (TMP/SMX) include:
Blood or sediment in the urine, colic, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, fever, headache, lack or loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, unconsciousness, vomiting, yellowed eyes and skin
)
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