TRIMETHOPRIM

Brand & Generic Names

Apo-Sulfatrim	Sulfamethoprim
Bactrim	Sulfaprim
Bethaprim	Sulfatrim
Cheragan with TMP	Sulfoxaprim
Cotrim	Sulmeprim
Novotrimel	Triazole
Proloprim	Trimeth-Sulfa
Protrin	Trimpex
Roubac	Trisulfam
Septra	Uroplus
SMZ-TMP

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antimicrobial

Uses

• Treats for urinary tract infections susceptible to trimethoprim.
• Helps prevent recurrent urinary tract infections if taken once a day.
• Treats pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.

When to take:
Space doses evenly in 24 hours to keep constant amount in urine.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as possible. Wait 5 to 6 hours before next dose. Then return to regular schedule.

What drug does:
Stops harmful bacterial germs from multiplying. Will not kill viruses.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 5 days.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

• Rash, itchy skin.
• Unusual taste.

Infrequent:

• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
• Headache, appetite loss, sore mouth or tongue.

Rare:

• Blue fingernails, lips and skin; difficult breathing.
• Sore throat, fever, anemia, jaundice, unusual bleeding or bruising.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to trimethoprim or any sulfa drug.
• You are anemic due to folic acid deficiency.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have had liver or kidney disease.

Over age 60:

• Reduced liver and kidney function may require reduced dose.
• More likely to have severe anal and genital itch.
• Increased susceptibility to anemia.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use under medical supervision only.

Prolonged use:

• Anemia.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit).

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Bone marrow depressants*	Increased possibility of bone
	marrow supression.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on bone marrow.
Folate antagonists*,	Increased risk of anemia.
Tiopronin	Increased risk of toxicity to bone
	marrow.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased alcohol effect with
	Bactrim or Septra.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.