Trimpex (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 for 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, check with your doctor.

If this medicine causes anemia, your doctor may want you to take folic acid (a vitamin) every day to help treat 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 may lead to a higher chance of certain infections, slow healing, and bleeding of the gums. Therefore, you should be careful when using regular toothbrushes, dental floss, and toothpicks. Dental work should be delayed until your blood counts have returned to normal. Check with your medical doctor or dentist if you have any questions about proper oral hygiene (mouth care) during treatment.

Some people who take trimethoprim may become more sensitive to sunlight than they usually are. Exposure to sunlight, even for short periods, may cause 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.
• Apply a sunblock product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may need a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

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

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor must consider the risks and benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your health care professional know if you have other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

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

Geriatric

Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of trimethoprim. Blood problems may be more likely in elderly patients who are taking diuretics (water pills) along with this medicine.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others may be used together with caution. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is especially important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

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

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

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used during or around meal times, as interactions might occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines can also cause interactions. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

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 frequency of this medicine or provide special instructions regarding 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 issues, especially:

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

• 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 necessary effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, you may need medical help.

Contact your doctor right away 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 happen that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you how to prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Talk to your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, 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, consult 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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