Can Septra be used to temporarly treat an infected abscess tooth?!
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Yes, it may cover most of the bacteria that typically cause oral abcesses. However, it does not cover what we call "anaerobic organisms". If you do not feel better after 24-48 hours, or if it gets worse in the next 24 hours, talk to your doctor to get an alternative (clindamycin or augmentin). Also, septra has a sulfa component, so please do not take it if you have had a severe allergic reaction to sulfa in the past.
Other Answers:
the two antibiotics commonly used are Cleocin(clindamycin) and amoxicillian. I believe Septra is more for upper respiratory infections.
Not sure, but it sounds like you have Septra pills left over from a previous infection and now you have an infected abscessed tooth. I would caution against using old antibiotics for different purposes than for what they were prescribed: different antibiotics are prescribed for different kinds of infections. You could make things worse by taking the wrong antibiotic, or by not taking a full 10-day (or whatever) dose- you could make the infection "stronger" in a sense, and less resistant to being cured by the right pill later.
I would go to a dentist ASAP - they usually take emergency walk-ins. Hopefully cost is not an issue or the reason you are not going - if so, perhaps your city/town has a low-cost dental clinic.
Hope you feel better!
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