Proloprim (Oral)

Trimethoprim is used to treat infections in the urinary tract. Your doctor may also use it for other issues. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

Trimethoprim is available only with a prescription from your doctor.

It is important for your doctor to check your progress at regular visits if you will be taking this medicine for a long time. This will help your doctor monitor any unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

If this medicine causes anemia, your doctor may want you to take folic acid (a vitamin) every day to help resolve the anemia. If so, it is important to take folic acid every day along with this medicine; do not miss any doses.

Trimethoprim may cause blood problems. These problems can increase the risk of certain infections, slow healing, and bleeding of the gums. Therefore, you should be cautious when using regular toothbrushes, dental floss, and toothpicks. Dental work should be postponed until your blood counts have returned to normal. Consult your medical doctor or dentist if you have any questions about proper oral hygiene (mouth care) during treatment.

Some people taking trimethoprim may become more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Exposure to sunlight, even for short periods, may lead to severe sunburn or skin rash, redness, itching, or discoloration. When you start taking this medicine:

• Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
• Use a sunblock product with a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may need a product with a higher SPF, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have questions about this, ask your health care professional.
• Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

If you have a severe reaction to the sun, contact your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of taking it against the benefits it will provide. Here are some important points to think about:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever experienced any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

This medicine has been used in a small number of children aged 2 months or older and has been tested in children aged 12 years or older. When taken at effective doses, this medicine has not shown to cause different side effects or problems in children compared to adults.

Geriatric

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of trimethoprim. Blood problems may occur more frequently in elderly patients taking diuretics (water pills) along with this medicine.

Breast Feeding

Research in women suggests that this medication is likely to pose minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if there is a chance of interaction. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When taking this medicine, it is crucial for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and are not necessarily comprehensive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Dofetilide
• Levomethadyl

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Acecainide
• Ajmaline
• Amiloride
• Amiodarone
• Amitriptyline
• Amoxapine
• Aprindine
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Astemizole
• Azathioprine
• Azilsartan
• Azilsartan Medoxomil
• Azimilide
• Benazepril
• Bretylium
• Candesartan Cilexetil
• Captopril
• Chloral Hydrate
• Chloroquine
• Chlorpromazine
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Clarithromycin
• Desipramine
• Dibenzepin
• Digoxin
• Disopyramide
• Dolasetron
• Doxepin
• Dronedarone
• Droperidol
• Enalapril
• Enalaprilat
• Enflurane
• Eplerenone
• Eprosartan
• Erythromycin
• Flecainide
• Fluconazole
• Fluoxetine
• Foscarnet
• Fosinopril
• Fosphenytoin
• Gemifloxacin
• Halofantrine
• Haloperidol
• Halothane
• Hydroquinidine
• Ibutilide
• Imipramine
• Irbesartan
• Isoflurane
• Isradipine
• Leucovorin
• Lidoflazine
• Lisinopril
• Lorcainide
• Losartan
• Mefloquine
• Mercaptopurine
• Methotrexate
• Moexipril
• Nortriptyline
• Octreotide
• Olmesartan Medoxomil
• Pentamidine
• Perindopril
• Phenytoin
• Pirmenol
• Prajmaline
• Probucol
• Procainamide
• Prochlorperazine
• Propafenone
• Pyrimethamine
• Quinapril
• Quinidine
• Ramipril
• Risperidone
• Sapropterin
• Sematilide
• Sertindole
• Sotalol
• Spiramycin
• Spironolactone
• Sultopride
• Tedisamil
• Telithromycin
• Telmisartan
• Trandolapril
• Triamterene
• Trifluoperazine
• Trimipramine
• Valsartan
• Zofenopril
• Zotepine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best option for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both medicines.

• Amantadine
• Anisindione
• Didanosine
• Repaglinide
• Rosiglitazone
• Tolbutamide

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food because interactions may happen. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines can also lead to interactions. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and are not necessarily comprehensive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Ethanol

Other Medical Problems

Other medical conditions may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anemia—Patients with anemia may have a higher chance of side effects affecting the blood.

• Kidney disease—Patients with kidney disease may have a higher chance of side effects.

• Liver disease—Patients with liver disease may have a higher chance of side effects.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Skin rash or itching

Rare

• Black, tarry stools
• blood in urine or stools
• bluish fingernails, lips, or skin
• changes in facial skin color
• chills
• difficult breathing or shortness of breath
• fever with or without chills
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• joint or muscle pain
• nausea
• neck stiffness
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on skin
• redness, blistering, burning, tenderness, peeling, or loosening of skin or mucous membranes
• redness, swelling, or soreness of tongue
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• sore throat
• swelling
• thickened or scaly skin
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach cramps or pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Primsol
• Proloprim
• Trimpex

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: Folic Acid Antagonist

Do not give this medicine to infants or children under 12 years of age unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Trimethoprim may be taken on an empty stomach or, if it upsets your stomach, it may be taken with food.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the body. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times day and night. For example, if you are to take 2 doses a day, the doses should be spaced about 12 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For the treatment of urinary tract infections: Adults and children 12 years of age and older: 100 milligrams every twelve hours for ten days, or 200 milligrams once a day for ten days. Children up to 12 years of age: Dose must be determined by the doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

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