trimethoprim
What is the most important information I should know about trimethoprim?You should not use trimethoprim if you are allergic to it, or if you have a certain type of anemia caused by a folate (folic acid) deficiency. Before using trimethoprim, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a folic acid deficiency. Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Trimethoprim will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Trimethoprim can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. What is trimethoprim?Trimethoprim is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. Trimethoprim is used to treat bladder or kidney infections, or ear infections caused by certain bacteria. Trimethoprim may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking trimethoprim?You should not use trimethoprim if you are allergic to it, or if you have a certain type of anemia caused by a folate (folic acid) deficiency. To make sure trimethoprim is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions: - a folate (folic acid) deficiency;
- kidney disease;
- liver disease; or
- fever, sore throat, flu symptoms, pale skin, or purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether trimethoprim will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Trimethoprim can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Trimethoprim should not be given to a child younger than 6 months old. How should I take trimethoprim?Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Take your medicine with a full glass of water. Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Take this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Trimethoprim will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using trimethoprim. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. What happens if I miss a dose?Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. What happens if I overdose?Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Trimethoprim overdose can occur if you accidentally take too much at one time. This can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, or depression. Overdose can also occur slowly over a long period of time if your daily doses are too high. This can cause severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide. What should I avoid while taking trimethoprim?Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Trimethoprim can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. What are the possible side effects of trimethoprim?Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: - fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;
- pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
- high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling); or
- severe headache with muscle cramps, confusion, weakness, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, and weak or shallow breathing.
Other common side effects may include: - stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea;
- sore or swollen tongue; or
- mild itching or skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. What other drugs will affect trimethoprim?Tell your doctor about all medications you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with trimethoprim, especially: - a diuretic (water pill);
- dofetilide (Tikosyn);
- heart or blood pressure medication such as procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl) and others;
- leucovorin (folinic acid);
- methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); or
- phenytoin (Dilantin).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with trimethoprim, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Where can I get more information?Your pharmacist can provide more information about trimethoprim.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 11/15/2012.
Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.
Last modified on: 8 September 2017
|
|