Trimethoprim: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Trimethoprim?

What is Trimethoprim for?

Trimethoprim is an antibiotic drug with a function to treat bacterial infections. It works by stopping bacterial growth.

This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. This medicine will not work for viral infections (eg, cold, flu). Unnecessary or excessive use of any antibiotic can cause its effectiveness to decrease.

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

This drug can also be used to treat some lung infections (pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to prevent kidney infections in certain patients.

Trimethoprim dosage and side effects of trimethoprim are detailed below.

How is Trimethoprim used?

Measure the dose carefully using a spoon / cup. Drink and leave the stomach empty at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating as directed by your doctor. Should be drunk while eating in case of gastric upset. Dosage is based on your medical condition and your body's response to therapy.

Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, use this drug at regular intervals.

Continue to use this medication until the specified time, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping treatment too early allows the bacteria to continue growing, which can result in the infection recurring.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens after a few days.

How is Trimethoprim stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Trimethoprim dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Trimethoprim dosage for adults?

Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection:

Acute uncomplicated infection: 100 mg orally every 12 hours or 200 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Adult Dose for Prophylactic Cystitis:

100 mg orally at bedtime for 6 weeks to 6 months

Adult Dose for Pneumocystis Pneumonia:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:

HIV-infected patients: 15 mg / kg / day taken in 3 divided doses (other than 100 mg daily dapsone) for 21 days

Trimethoprim with dapsone is recommended as an alternative treatment for mild to moderate Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.

What is the dose of Trimethoprim for children?

Pediatric Dose for Otitis Media:

Acute infection:

6 months or older: 5 mg / kg taken every 12 hours for 10 days

Pediatric Dose for Urinary Tract Infection:

Infection without acute complications:

12 to 18 years of age: 100 mg orally every 12 hours or 200 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days.

2 months to less than 12 years: 2-3 mg / kg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

In what dosage is Trimethoprim available?

100 mg tablet

Trimethoprim side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Trimethoprim?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects such as:

- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in the mouth and throat;
- pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots on your skin;
- high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, weakness in muscles, tingling feeling); or
- severe headache accompanied by muscle cramps, confusion, weakness, loss of coordination, loss of balance, and weakness in breath.

Less serious side effects include:

- stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea;
- sore or swollen tongue; or
- mild itching or skin rash.

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Trimethoprim Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Trimethoprim?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

This medication has been used in limited quantities in children 2 months of age or older, and was tested in children 12 years of age and older. In effective doses, they have not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in children than in adults.

Elderly

Older people may be more sensitive to the effects of trimethoprim. Blood disorders are more likely to occur in elderly patients who are taking diuretics (water pills) at the same time as this medicine.

Is Trimethoprim safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = No risk,
B = not at risk in several studies,
C = May be risky,
D = There is positive evidence of risk,
X = Contraindicated,
N = Unknown

Trimethoprim Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Trimethoprim?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may not prescribe this medicine to you or will replace some of the drugs you are already taking.

- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dofetilide
- Levomethadyl
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine

Using this medication with some of the medicines below is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

- Acecainide
- Ajmaline
- Amiloride
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Aprindine
- Arsenic trioxide
- Astemizol
- Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Azimilide
- Benazepril
- Bretylium
- Candesartan Cilexetil
- Captopril
- Chlorine hydrate
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Clarithromycin
- Desipramine
- Dibenzepin
- Disopyramid
- Dolasetron
- Doxepin
- Droperidol
- Eltrombopag
- Enalapril
- Enalaprilat
- Enflurane
- Eplerenone
- Eprosartan
- Erythromycin
- Flecainid
- Fluconazole
- Fluoxetine
- Foskarnet
- Fosinopril
- Gemifloxacin
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Hydroquinidine
- Ibutilide
- Imipramine
- Irbesartan
- Isoflurane
- Isradipin
- Leucovorin
- Lidoflazine
- Lisinopril
- Lorcainide
- Losartan
- Mefloquine
- Mercaptopurine
- Methotrexate
- Moexipril
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Olmesartan Medoxomil
- Pentamidine
- Perindopril Erbumine
- Pirmenol
- Prajmaline
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Propafenone
- Pyrimethamine
- Quinapril
- Quinidine
- Ramipril
- Risperidone
- Sematilide
- Sertindole
- Sotalol
- Spiramycin
- Spironolactone
- Sultopride
- Tedisamil
- Telitromycin
- Telmisartan
- Trandolapril
- Triamterene
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimipramine
- Valsartan
- Vasopressin
- Zofenopril
- Zotepine

Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

- Amantadine
- Anisindione
- DdI
- Digoxin
- Fosphenytoin
- Phenytoin
- Repaglinide
- Rosiglitazone
- Tolbutamide

Can food or alcohol interact with Trimethoprim?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Trimethoprim?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

- Patients with anemia have a greater chance of developing side effects that affect the blood.
- Kidney illness. Patients with kidney disease have a greater chance of increasing side effects.
- Liver disease. Patients with liver disease have a greater chance of increasing side effects.

Trimethoprim overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.