What do trimethoprim tablets do

It's used to treat urinary tract infections UTIs , such as cystitis. Occasionally, trimethoprim is used to treat other types of infections, such as chest infections and acne.

Trimethoprim is available on prescription. It comes as tablets and as a liquid that you drink. Take our survey. Trimethoprim isn't suitable for some people.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:. Trimethoprim is usually taken twice a day to treat an infection - once in the morning and once in the evening. You can take it with or without food. The dose of trimethoprim you need to take depends on your illness, your age, and how well your kidneys work. Doses are usually lower for elderly people and those with kidney problems. Carry on taking this medicine until the course is completed, even if you feel better.

Swallow trimethoprim tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them. Trimethoprim is available as a liquid for people who find it difficult to swallow tablets. If you're taking trimethoprim as a liquid, it'll usually be made up for you by your pharmacist. The medicine will come with a syringe or spoon to help you take the right amount. If you don't have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

If you're taking trimethoprim to prevent an infection, take it at bedtime. If you have been prescribed trimethoprim as a treatment for cystitis that comes on after having sex, take it as a single dose within 2 hours of having sex no more than twice a day. The length of time you'll need to take trimethoprim for depends on how bad and where your infection is, your age, whether you're male or female, and whether you have any other health problems.

It's very important that you continue taking trimethoprim until your course is finished, even if you feel better, to help stop the infection coming back. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose.

In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal. Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. Taking an extra dose of trimethoprim by accident is unlikely to harm you, but it may increase the chances of temporary side effects, such as feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.

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. The most common side effects with trimethoprim are itching or a mild rash. They happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or don't go away. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction to trimethoprim.

Trimethoprim isn't the safest antibiotic to take in pregnancy. Doctors generally agree you should take it only if the benefits outweigh the risks. It's been linked with a small risk of problems for the unborn baby if it's taken in early pregnancy.

A substance called folic acid is important for the normal development of an unborn baby. Pregnant women are routinely advised to take a mcg folic acid supplement every day for the first 12 weeks. Trimethoprim lowers levels of folic acid in the bloodstream. If you take this medicine during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor will probably prescribe a high dose of folic acid 5mg daily for you to take along with the trimethoprim.

There are no known risks to a pregnant woman or her unborn baby from taking trimethoprim after the first 12 weeks. Only pharmacists who have completed additional training can supply trimethoprim. They will need to ask you questions to make sure it is the best option for you and will need to record your name and address.

Like all medicines, trimethoprim can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Trimethoprim may interact with some medicines and herbal supplements so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting trimethoprim or before starting any new medicines.

New Zealand Formulary Patient Information: trimethoprim. Take trimethoprim exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Take trimethoprim on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

However, if you experience nausea, you may take trimethoprim with food. Drink at least eight glasses of liquid water, tea, coffee, soft drinks, milk, and fruit juice every day. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your dosing schedule.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet.

Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at