Trimethoprim


Generic Medicine Info
Indications and Dosage
Oral
Acute otitis media
Child: ≥6 months 10 mg/kg daily in divided doses 12 hourly for 10 days. Treatment recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).

Oral
Susceptible infections, Urinary tract infections
Adult: Acute infection: 100 mg or 200 mg bid. Alternatively, 200 mg or 300 mg once daily as a single dose. Treatment duration is based on the nature and severity of the infection. Dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).
Elderly: Dose reduction may be required.
Child: Acute infection: 6 weeks to 5 months 25 mg bid; 6 months to 5 years 50 mg bid; 6-12 years 100 mg bid; >12 years Same as adult dose. Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).

Oral
Prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections
Adult: Long-term treatment: 100 mg once daily at night. Treatment duration may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).
Elderly: Dose reduction may be required.
Child: Long-term treatment: 6 months to 5 years 25 mg once daily at night; 6-12 years 50 mg once daily at night; >12 years Same as adult dose. Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).
Renal Impairment
Susceptible infections; Urinary tract infections; Prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections

CrCl (mL/min) Dosage
<15 Half the normal dose.
15-30 Normal dose for 3 days then decrease to 1/2 dose.
Treatment and dosing recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).
Administration
Should be taken with food.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity. Megaloblastic anaemia due to folate deficiency and other blood dyscrasias.
Special Precautions
Patient at risk of developing hyperkalaemia (e.g. poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, hypoaldosteronism; concomitant use K-sparing diuretics, K supplements, K-containing salt substitutes, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, heparin); acute porphyria; with potential folate deficiency (e.g. malnourished, chronic anticonvulsant therapy). Not indicated for prophylactic or prolonged administration at any age (when used in otitis media). Renal and hepatic impairment. Children and elderly. Pregnancy and lactation.
Adverse Reactions
Significant: Depression of haemopoiesis, hyperkalaemia; Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. Rarely, serious hypersensitivity reaction.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, neutropenia, megaloblastic anaemia, methemoglobinaemia.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting.
Infections and infestations: Monilial overgrowth.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Hyponatraemia.
Nervous system disorders: Headache.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Rash, urticaria, pruritus, exfoliative dermatitis.
IV/Parenteral/PO: Z (Has been associated with congenital malformations and miscarriage. Use only when benefits outweigh risks. Consult clinical guidelines for specific recommendations.)
Monitoring Parameters
Perform culture and susceptibility tests; consult local institutional recommendations before treatment initiation due to antibiotic resistance risks. Obtain LFTs before initiating therapy. Monitor CBC with differential, platelet count, bilirubin, serum creatinine or K; BUN at baseline and periodically during therapy (particularly when using high doses or in prolonged treatment).
Overdosage
Symptoms: Acute: Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, mental depression, confusion, bone marrow depression. Chronic: Bone marrow depression manifested as thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, megaloblastic anaemia. Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment. Acute: Perform gastric lavage and forced diuresis. May give IM calcium folinate for depression of haematopoiesis. Enhance elimination through urine acidification. Chronic: May administer leucovorin.
Drug Interactions
Increased risk of hyperkalaemia with K-sparing diuretics, K supplements, K-containing salt substitutes, renin angiotensin system inhibitors (e.g. ACE inhibitors, renin-angiotensin receptor blockers), other drugs associated with increase in serum K (e.g. heparin). May induce folate deficiency with folate antagonists or anticonvulsants. Increased serum concentration with dapsone. Increased risk of haematologic toxicity with cytotoxic drugs (e.g. azathioprine, mercaptopurine, methotrexate). Increased incidence of thrombocytopenia with purpura with diuretics (particularly thiazides). Increased risk of nephrotoxicity with ciclosporin. Increased antifolate effect with pyrimethamine. May enhance hypoglycaemic effects of repaglinide. May potentiate anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarins. May increase serum concentration of lamivudine, phenytoin, procainamide, digoxin, dapsone, zidovudine. May decrease serum concentration with rifampicin.
Lab Interference
May interfere with the Jaffe alkaline picrate reaction assay resulting in a falsely increased (approx 10%) creatinine. May interfere with the determination of serum methotrexate when a bacterial dihydrofolate reductase is used as the binding protein (e.g. competitive binding protein technique) in the assay.
Action
Description:
Mechanism of Action: Trimethoprim, a diaminopyrimidine, is a reversible inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. It inhibits the conversion of bacterial dihydrofolate reductase to tetrahydrofolic acid, necessary for the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins. It may be bactericidal or bacteriostatic depending on growth conditions.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Time to peak plasma concentration: Approx 1-4 hours.
Distribution: Widely distributed to various tissue and fluids (e.g. kidneys, liver, lung, bronchial secretions, aqueous humour, saliva, prostatic tissue and fluid, vaginal secretions); present in CSF. Crosses the placenta and enters breast milk. Volume of distribution: Approx 1.3 L/kg. Plasma protein binding: Approx 45%.
Metabolism: Partially metabolised (10-20%) in the liver via demethylation, oxidation, hydroxylation.
Excretion: Primarily via urine (50-60%; 80% as unchanged drug); faeces. Elimination half-life: Approx 8-10 hours.
Chemical Structure

Chemical Structure Image
Trimethoprim

Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5578, Trimethoprim. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Trimethoprim. Accessed Apr. 27, 2022.

Storage
Store below 25°C. Protect from light.
MIMS Class
Other Antibiotics
ATC Classification
J01EA01 - trimethoprim ; Belongs to the class of trimethoprim and derivatives. Used in the systemic treatment of infections.
References
Anon. Trimethoprim. Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 02/02/2022.

Buckingham R (ed). Trimethoprim. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 05/01/2022.

Joint Formulary Committee. Trimethoprim. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 05/01/2022.

Mylan New Zealand Ltd. TMP 300 mg Tablets data sheet 09 July 2019. Medsafe. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz. Accessed 05/01/2022.

Primsol Solution (FSC Laboratories). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 05/01/2022.

Trimethoprim 50 mg/5 mL Suspension (Crescent Pharma Limited). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 05/01/2022.

Trimethoprim Tablet (Mayne Pharma). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 05/01/2022.

Trimethoprim Tablets BP 100 mg, 200 mg (Crescent Pharma Limited). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 05/01/2022.

Disclaimer: This information is independently developed by MIMS based on Trimethoprim from various references and is provided for your reference only. Therapeutic uses, prescribing information and product availability may vary between countries. Please refer to MIMS Product Monographs for specific and locally approved prescribing information. Although great effort has been made to ensure content accuracy, MIMS shall not be held responsible or liable for any claims or damages arising from the use or misuse of the information contained herein, its contents or omissions, or otherwise. Copyright © 2024 MIMS. All rights reserved. Powered by MIMS.com
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