What is trimoxazole used for?
Co-trimoxazole is used to treat certain bacterial infections, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), bronchitis (infection of the tubes leading to the lungs), and infections of the urinary tract, ears, and intestines. It also is used to treat ‘travelers’ diarrhea.
Is co-trimoxazole a strong antibiotic?
Co-trimoxazole is an antibiotic used to treat different infections caused by bacteria….Co-trimoxazole.
| Type of medicine | Also called |
|---|---|
| Combination antibiotic (to treat infections) Sulphur antibiotic (sulfamethoxazole) and trimethoprim | Trisul (tablet) Deprim (liquid) |
Is cotrimoxazole a penicillin?
Co-trimoxazole is a combination antibiotic. It can be taken by people who are allergic to penicillin, but it is not suitable for people who are allergic to sulfonamides. Space out your doses evenly throughout the day, and remember to finish the course of treatment.
How fast does cotrimoxazole work?
In some cases, if the PCP is more severe, you may be given cotrimoxazole intravenously. The recommended treatment for PCP lasts 21 days. It may be possible to switch to tablet form of the medication if you respond well to the treatment. It may take five to seven days before you start to feel better.
What are the side effects of taking trimethoprim?
You’re unlikely to get side effects from trimethoprim. Some people get itching or a skin rash, but this is usually mild and goes away after you stop taking the medicine….Common side effects
- itching or a mild rash.
- feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
- diarrhoea.
- headaches.
Why is cotrimoxazole taken with a lot of water?
The medication could damage the kidneys or lead to kidney stones if too much of it reached the kidney at the same time (e.g., indinavir). Water helps to “dilute” the extra medication so that too much medication does not go through the kidneys at once.
Can you take paracetamol with co-trimoxazole?
No interactions were found between Co-trimoxazole and Paracetamol. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Who needs Co-trimoxazole?
Co-trimoxazole prophylaxis is recommended for adults (including pregnant women) with severe or advanced HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 3 or 4) and/or with a CD4 count of ≤350 cells/mm3.
Does Co-trimoxazole cause liver damage?
Hepatotoxicity with elevated liver enzymes is a well-known side effect of co-trimoxazole. Other reports have associated the drug with cholestatic liver disease9, 10 and pancreatitis,11, 12, 13 and rarely a vanishing bile duct syndrome following the administration of co-trimoxazole9, 14 has been described.
Is 3 days of antibiotics enough?
The evidence supporting shorter courses is especially strong for community-acquired pneumonia. At least 12 randomized controlled trials in adults have shown that three to five days of antibiotics works as well as five to 14 days, and a 2021 study found the same holds true for children.
What is co-trimoxazole used to treat?
Co-trimoxazole. It also is used to treat ‘travelers’ diarrhea. Co-trimoxazole is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole and is in a class of medications called sulfonamides. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics will not kill viruses that can cause colds, flu, or other viral infections.
What is the difference between co-trimoxazole and Septrin?
Co-trimoxazole therefore stops the spread of infection. The remaining bacteria are killed by the immune system or eventually die. Septrin is a brand name for co-trimoxazole. Co-trimoxazole is suitable for adults and children. It’s usually taken twice a day to treat infections.
Is Coco-trimoxazole safe for children?
Co-trimoxazole should not be used in children less than 2 months of age.
What happens if I stop taking co-trimoxazole too soon?
Take co-trimoxazole until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking co-trimoxazole without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking co-trimoxazole too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.