Trimethoprim
About Trimethoprim
Trimethoprim belongs to the 'antibacterials' class of drugs, primarily used to treat bacterial infections of the ear, urinary tracts like cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) and respiratory tract. Bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and causes illness. It can infect any part of the body and multiply very quickly.
Trimethoprim contains 'Trimethoprim,' an antibacterial drug. Trimethoprim is a folic acid inhibitor that inhibits tetrahydrofolic acid formation (a folic acid derivative essential for developing proteins and nucleic acids). Thus, Trimethoprim prevents the synthesis of bacterial nucleic acids and proteins, which are the primary cursors for carrying out bacteria's vital functions. This process further inhibits bacterial growth.
Like all medicines, Trimethoprim also causes side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects of Trimethoprim include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, loss of appetite, changes in taste, and headache. If any of these effects persist or worsen, seek medical advice promptly.
Brief your medical history to doctor before starting Trimethoprim. Do not use Trimethoprim while having vaccinations with live bacterial vaccines (typhoid vaccine) since Trimethoprim may affect vaccines' activity. Trimethoprim can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, hence wear sunscreen when you step out. It is advised to consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Trimethoprim.
Uses of Trimethoprim
Medicinal Benefits
Trimethoprim contains 'Trimethoprim,' an antibacterial drug that treats bacterial infections of the ear, urinary tracts like cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), and respiratory tract. It also helps in treating chest infections and acne. Trimethoprim is a folic acid inhibitor and inhibits tetrahydrofolic acid formation (a folic acid derivative essential for the formation of proteins and nucleic acids). Thus, Trimethoprim prevents the synthesis of bacterial nucleic acids and proteins, which are the primary cursors for carrying out bacteria's vital functions. Trimethoprim is also used to prevent the recurrence of urinary tract infections.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Trimethoprim
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in taste
- Headache
Drug Warnings
Older patients may be more prone to side effects when they have a history of hyperkalemia while using Trimethoprim. Please inform your doctor if you are undergoing dialysis treatment since Trimethoprim is moderately removed by haemodialysis. Your doctor may schedule the dosage after dialysis. Please undergo an examination to rule out CDAD's chances if you experience diarrhoea following Trimethoprim therapy. Let your doctor know if you are undergoing any vaccinations with live bacterial vaccines (like typhoid vaccine) since Trimethoprim may affect vaccines' activity. Trimethoprim may induce photosensitivity and makes your skin more sensitive to the sun; hence wear sunscreen when you step out. Please seek medical advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Trimethoprim.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Trimethoprim may interact with anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin), anti-cancer drugs (methotrexate), anti-diabetics (repaglinide), heart-related drugs (procainamide, digoxin), anti-malarial drugs (pyrimethamine and dapsone), fits medicine (phenytoin), antibiotics (rifampicin), fluid retention drugs (spironolactone, amiloride), blood pressure medicines, and potassium supplements.
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Trimethoprim to prevent unpleasant side-effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before taking Trimethoprim, let your doctor know if have any anaemia, kidney or liver diseases, diabetes, vitamin deficiency (folate or folic acid), blood disorders like bone marrow suppression and G6PD deficiency, hyperkalaemia or low levels of sodium in the blood, porphyria, and muscle weakness.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while taking Trimethoprim to prevent unpleasant side-effects, such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting.
Pregnancy
unsafeTrimethoprim is not recommended during pregnancy since it interferes with folic acid formation, which plays a crucial role in developing the unborn baby's brain and spinal cord. Please consult your doctor before taking Trimethoprim if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
unsafeTrimethoprim is excreted into the breast milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Trimethoprim if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionIt is unknown whether Trimethoprim affects your ability to drive and operating machinery. Drive only if you are physically stable and mentally focussed. If you experience dizziness or fatigue after taking Trimethoprim, do not drive or operate any machinery.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Trimethoprim.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before taking Trimethoprim.
Children
unsafeTrimethoprim is not recommended to children below 12 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include more fibre enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by your gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fibre foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread, brown rice should be included in your diet.
- Eating grapefruit during antibiotics treatment can prevent the body from utilizing Trimethoprim properly. So, avoid intake of grapefruit or grapefruit juice with the antibiotic.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Trimethoprim as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make more challenging for your body to aid the Trimethoprim in fighting off infections.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Do not walk barefoot at places like gym showers to prevent bacterial infections.
Special Advise
- Renal, hepatic, and blood function tests are advised during prolonged therapy to rule out any toxicity caused due to overdose of Trimethoprim.
- Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea (CDAD) is reported during usage of antibiotics like Trimethoprim. Please see your doctor if you experience prolonged diarrhoea.
- Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly since Trimethoprim may affect your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes.
- Trimethoprim is moderately removed during dialysis, hence let your doctor know if you are undergoing dialysis treatment so that the dose can be scheduled after the dialysis.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and causes illness. It can infect any part of the body and multiply very quickly. Bacteria occur in three basic shapes: spherical, rod and spiral-shaped. Bacteria may be gram-positive (have thick cell wall) or gram-negative (do not have a cell wall). Some common symptoms of a bacterial infection include cough, fever and tiredness.
Cystitis is an infection of the urinary tract caused by bacteria. It causes an inflammation of the bladder.
FAQs
Trimethoprim contains 'Trimethoprim,' an antibacterial drug. It inhibits tetrahydrofolic acid formation and prevents the synthesis of bacterial nucleic acids and proteins that carry out bacteria's vital functions.
Trimethoprim should be used with proper caution and doctor consultation if you have any anaemia (due to folate deficiency), kidney or liver diseases, diabetes, vitamin deficiency (folate or folic acid), blood disorders like bone marrow suppression and G6PD deficiency (a genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to breakdown), mineral imbalances like high potassium levels (hyperkalaemia) or low levels of sodium in the blood, porphyria (a disorder of skin sensitivity to light), and muscle weakness.
Trimethoprim can affect the live vaccines like typhoid vaccine and decrease its effectiveness. Please consult a doctor before you start Trimethoprim if you are undergoing any vaccinations.
Take this medication 2-3 hours before or after taking iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, and laxatives since these products prevent the absorption of Trimethoprim. It is also advised to avoid dairy products like milk, yoghurt, and calcium-enriched juice.
Trimethoprim can make your skin more sensitive to the harmful effects of the sunlight. Hence it is advised to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while using Trimethoprim. It is also recommended to avoid tanning booths and sunlamps.
It is recommended to complete the course of Trimethoprim even if you feel better as it is an antibiotic, and stopping it midway may lead to recurring infections. Continue taking Trimethoprim for as long as your doctor has prescribed to treat your condition effectually.
