Trimethoprim
Description
Trimethoprim is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the urinary tract. It is used to treat susceptible infections caused by gram-negative and gram-positive bacterias, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, E.coli, Enterobacter, Haemophilus influenzae, or Proteus species. It is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat certain types of bacterial infections. This medicine should only be used if there is a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Trimethoprim
- Stomach upset
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itching and skin rash
- Black or tarry stools
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Unsual tiredness or weakness
- Pale skin
Uses of Trimethoprim
What is it prescribed for?
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Susceptible infections
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid alcohol intake during treatment with this medicine due to the risk of side effects such as fast heartbeats, tingly feeling, warmth or redness under your skin, nausea, vomiting, etc.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to trimethoprim or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Megaloblastic or folate-deficiency anemia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with conditions like megaloblastic or folate deficiency anemia due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Porphyria
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of porphyria (a disorder that results from the accumulation of porphyrins in the body) due to an increase in the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Other medicines
This medicine may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that you inform the doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver impairment due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of liver function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Drug-resistance
Usage of this medicine without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing the benefits and even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of development of bacteria that are drug-resistant.
Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
Discontinue the use of this medicine as per the doctor's instructions if severe diarrhea occurs after receiving this medicine. This medicine may cause an imbalance in the microbial flora of the large intestine, decreasing the gut-friendly bacteria and promoting the growth of a bacteria called Clostridium difficile, resulting in severe diarrhea.
Folate deficiency
Use of this medicine may cause folate deficiency in some patients and hence it is advised to take folic acid supplements along with this medicine. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Hyperkalaemia
This medicine may increase the blood potassium levels in some patients. Close monitoring of blood potassium levels is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Avoid alcohol intake during treatment with this medicine due to the risk of side effects such as fast heartbeats, tingly feeling, warmth or redness under your skin, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Interaction with Medicine
Methotrexate
Warfarin
Metformin
Telmisartan
Disease interactions
Folate deficiency
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with megaloblastic anemia caused by folate deficiency due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. It should be used with extreme caution in patients with malabsorption syndrome and who are on other folate depleting medications. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Renal Disease
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney impairment due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of kidney function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative might be required in some cases.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Complete the course of treatment to prevent the spread of the infection. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Trimethoprim inhibits dihydrofolate synthetase an enzyme required for the bacterial DNA to replicate, thus inhibiting bacterial cell division.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antibiotics, Urinary anti-infectives
Schedule
Schedule H
Trimethoprim [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:
Trimethoprim - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:
Trimethoprim: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:
Trimethoprim 200mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 6 March 2019]. Available from:
Trimethoprim 50 mg/5 ml Suspension - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 6 March 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 6 Mar 2019
Disclaimer
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