Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Trimethoprim (top) and sulfamethoxazole (bottom)
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| Combination of | |
|---|---|
| Trimethoprim | Dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor |
| Sulfamethoxazole | Sulfonamide antibiotic |
| Clinical data | |
| Trade names | Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra, others |
| Synonyms | Co-trimoxazole (BAN UK) |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| Pregnancy category |
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| Routes of administration |
By mouth, intravenous |
| ATC code | |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | |
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| DrugBank | |
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| ChEBI | |
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), also known as co-trimoxazole among other names, is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. It consists of one part trimethoprim to five parts sulfamethoxazole. It is used for urinary tract infections, MRSA skin infections, travelers' diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, and cholera, among others. It may be used both to treat and prevent pneumocystis pneumonia in people with HIV/AIDS. It can be given by mouth or intravenously.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, rash, and diarrhea. Severe allergic reactions and Clostridium difficile diarrhea may occasionally occur. Its use near the end of pregnancy is not recommended. It appears to be safe for use during breastfeeding as long as the baby is healthy. TMP/SMX generally results in bacterial death. It works by blocking the making of folate by the bacteria.
TMP/SMX was first sold in 1974. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. It is available as a generic medication and is not very expensive. In the United States it is about US$0.40 per dose.
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