II. Indications
- Organisms
- Enteric Gram Negative Bacteria (esp. Urinary Tract Infections)
- Conditions
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis and treatment
- MRSA Skin Infections
III. Contraindications
- Avoid in infant under age 2 months (Kernicterus risk)
- Sulfonamide Allergy
- G6PD Deficiency
- Avoid in Streptococcal Pharyngitis, Acute Otitis Media and Acute Sinusitis (high Antibiotic Resistance rates)
- Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease (eGFR <15 ml/min)
IV. Mechanism
- See Sulfonamide
V. Precautions
- Prolonged use may cause very severe adverse reactions
- Follow Complete Blood Count (CBC) in prolonged use
- Hyperkalemia risk (especially in Renal Insufficiency, related to trimethoprim component)
VI. Medications
- Double Strength (DS)
- Trimethoprim 160 mg
- Sulfamethoxazole 800 mg
- Single Strength (SS)
- Trimethoprim 80 mg
- Sulfamethoxazole 400 mg
- Pediatric Suspension (40/200 per 5 ml)
- Trimethoprim 40 mg per 5 ml
- Sulfamethoxazole 200 mg per 5 ml
VII. Dosing: Directions (regarding Sulfonamide component)
- Take on an empty Stomach
- Take more than 1 hour before or two hours after food
VIII. Dosing: Adult (or child weight >40 kg)
- See Pneumocystis Prophylaxis
- See PCP Pneumonia
- Standard Dosing (e.g. Urinary Tract Infection)
- Take 1 DS tablet (160/800 mg) orally twice daily
- Higher Dosing (e.g. MRSA Cellulitis)
- Take 1-2 DS tablet orally twice daily
IX. Dosing: Child (weight <40 kg)
- Avoid in age <2 months old (Kernicterus risk), G6PD or marked Hyperbilirubinemia (see above)
- Dosing uses 40/200 mg per 5 ml suspension
- Treatment (e.g. Urinary Tract Infection)
- Dose 1 ml/kg/day divided twice daily orally (40/200 per 5 ml suspension)
- Alternatively dose 8 mg/kg/day of TMP component orally divided twice daily
- Doses up to 1.5 ml/kg/day may be used in MRSA Skin Infections (see Cellulitis)
- Maximum: 20 ml (160/800 mg) orally twice daily
- For each 10 kg weight, dose 5 ml suspension twice daily (up to maximum of 20 ml/dose)
- Age 2 months (5 kg): 2.5 ml orally twice daily
- Age 1 year (10 kg): 5.0 ml orally twice daily
- Age 3 years (15 kg): 7.5 ml orally twice daily
- Age 5 years (20 kg): 10 ml orally twice daily
- Dose 1 ml/kg/day divided twice daily orally (40/200 per 5 ml suspension)
- Prophylaxis of Urinary Tract Infections
- Dose: 4 mg/kg/day of Trimethoprim dosed once daily
X. Dosing: Renal (eGFR <30 ml/min)
- eGFR 15 to 30 ml/min (Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease)
- Decrease Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole dose by 50%
- eGFR <15 ml/min (Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease)
- Avoid the use of Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole
XI. Dosing: HIV
- Pneumocystis Treatment
- Take 15 to 20 mg/kg/day of TMP component orally or IV divided every 8 hours for 21 days
- Adult with mild to moderate infections
- Take 2 DS tablets orally three times daily for 21 days
- Child
- Take 5 ml suspension (40/200 mg) per every 8 kg orally every 6 hours for 21 days
-
Pneumocystis Prophylaxis
- Adult
- Take one tablet DS orally daily (per FDA labeling) OR
- Take one tablet SS orally daily (off label use)
- Child
- Take 150 mg/m2/day of TMP component orally divided twice daily on 3 consecutive days per week
- Adult
XII. Adverse Effects: General
- See Sulfonamide
- Allergic Reaction or Anaphylaxis
-
Bone Marrow suppression (Agranulocytosis)
- Highest risk with prolonged use, or high dose IV use
- Steven's Johnson Syndrome
- Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
-
Hyperkalemia
- Related to trimethoprim component
- Higher risk with underlying Renal Insufficiency
- Exacerbated by ACE Inhibitor, Angiotensin Receptor Blocker, and Potassium supplements
-
Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia and Kernicterus
- Sulfonamides compete with Bilirubin for albumin binding
- Results in increased free Bilirubin, with risk of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia and Kernicterus
- Propylene glycol toxicity
- Associated with high dose IV use (e.g. PCP Pneumonia)
XIII. Adverse Effects: HIV patients (40-60% within 3 weeks)
- Hepatitis
- Neutropenia
- Anemia
- Hyponatremia
- Hyperkalemia (6% of patients, esp. elderly)
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Rash
- Fever
XIV. Safety
- Pregnancy
- Avoid in first and third trimesters (considered safe in second trimester)
-
Lactation
- Avoid in first month of life (HyperbilirubinemiaKernicterus risk)
- Avoid in maternal or infant G6PD Deficiency
- Otherwise considered safe in Lactation after first month of life
XV. Drug Interactions
- Other drugs decrease Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole levels
- Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole increases other drug levels
-
Hyperkalemia risk
- Increased risk with ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, Spironolactone
- Higher risk with age >65 years, Renal Insufficiency, Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure
- Significantly increased rate of hospitalization and sudden death
- Avoid Septra use for longer than three days with these agents and comorbidities in age >65 years
- Consider alternative Antibiotics, holding Antihypertensive or recheck Serum Potassium in 4-5 days
- Fralick (2014) BMJ 349:g6196 +PMID:25359996 [PubMed]
- References
- (2014) Presc lett 21(8): 47
XVI. Resources
- Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole Tablet (DailyMed)
- Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole Suspension (DailyMed)
- Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole Injection Solution (DailyMed)
XVII. References
- Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia
- Kemnic (2023) Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole, StatPearls, Treasure Island, Florida
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
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SULFATRIM PEDIATRIC SUSPENSION | Generic | $0.06 per ml |