Co-trimoxazole
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| Co-trimoxazole
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| Combination of | |
| Trimethoprim | Dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor (20%) |
| Sulfamethoxazole | Sulfonamide antibiotic (80%) |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | J01 |
| PubChem | |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. | |
| Legal status | |
| Routes | Oral |
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Co-trimoxazole (abbreviated SXT, TMP-SMX, or TMP-sulfa) is an antibiotic combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, in the ratio of 1 to 5, used in the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections. The name co-trimoxazole is the British Approved Name, and has been marketed worldwide under many trade names including Septrin (GSK), Bactrim (Roche), and various generic preparations. According to the American Hospital Formulary Service, "co-trimoxazole usually is bactericidal." Other sources list this antibiotic as bacteriostatic.
Synergistic action
Co-trimoxazole exhibits a theoretical, although perhaps not a clinical,[1] synergistic antibacterial effect when compared to each of its components administered singly. This is because trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole inhibit successive steps in the folate synthesis pathway (see diagram below). They did not exhibit synergistic effects, due to the requirement of a 1 in 5 ratio, which was observed in the laboratory. However, in clinical situations the ratio in the tissue was observed to be 1 in 20, resulting in no synergy.
Sulfamethoxazole acts as a false-substrate inhibitor of dihydropteroate synthetase. Sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole are analogues of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and are competitive inhibitors of the enzyme; inhibiting the production of dihydropteroic acid.
Trimethoprim acts by interfering with the action of bacterial dihydrofolate reductase, inhibiting synthesis of tetrahydrofolic acid.
Folic acid is an essential precursor in the de novo synthesis of the DNA nucleosides thymidine and uridine. Bacteria are unable to take up folic acid from the environment (i.e. the infection host) thus are dependent on their own de novo synthesis - inhibition of the enzyme starves the bacteria of two bases necessary for DNA replication and transcription.
Clinical indications
Co-trimoxazole was claimed to be more effective than either of its components individually in treating bacterial infections, although this was later disputed.[2] Along with its associated greater incidence of adverse effects including allergic responses (see below), its widespread use has been restricted in many countries to very specific circumstances where its improved efficacy is demonstrated.[3] It may be effective in a variety of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, renal and urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal tract infections, skin and wound infections, septicaemias and other infections caused by sensitive organisms.
Specific indications for its use include: (Rossi, 2004)
- treatment and prophylaxis of pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly identified as P. carinii) (Commmonly seen in immunocompromised patients including those suffering from HIV/AIDS)
- infections caused by Listeria monocytogenes, Nocardia spp., Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (Zanthomonas maltophilia)
- melioidosis
- shigellosis
- traveller's diarrhoea
- prophylaxis of cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV patients
- Whipple's disease
Safety
There has been some concern about its use, however, since it has been associated with both frequent mild allergic reactions and serious adverse effects including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, myelosuppression, mydriasis, agranulocytosis, as well as severe liver damage (cholostatic hepatosis, hepatitis, liver necrosis, fulminant liver failure) and renal impairment up to acute renal failure and anuria. These side-effects are seen especially in the elderly and may be fatal. (Joint Formulary Committee, 2004). The folic acid is likely not the best option for the treatment of some adverse effects with associated with TMP-SMX, a better treatment is probably administration of folinic acid
In some countries, co-trimoxazole has been withdrawn due to these toxic effects.
Thus the current British Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) guidelines recommend limiting its use to:
- Pneumocystis pneumonia
- Toxoplasmosis and nocardiosis
- acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and infections of the urinary tract where there is good rationale for use
- acute otitis media in children where there is good rationale
References
- Rossi S, editor. Australian Medicines Handbook 2004. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook; 2004. ISBN 0-9578521-4-2.
- British National Formulary, 51st edition (April 20, 2006). London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain; 2006. ISBN 0853696683
- briandeer.com Newspaper campaign over adverse events; 1994-
Footnotes
- ↑ Brumfitt W, Hamilton-Miller JM (Feb 1994). "Limitations of and indications for the use of co-trimoxazole". J Chemother 6 (1): 3-11. PMID 8071675.
- ↑ Brumfitt W, Hamilton-Miller JM (Dec 1993). "Reassessment of the rationale for the combinations of sulphonamides with diaminopyrimidines". J Chemother 5 (6): 465-9. PMID 8195839.
- ↑ (Dec 1995) "Co-trimoxazole use restricted". Drug Ther Bull 33 (12): 92-3. PMID 8777892.
Acne-treating agents (D10) | |
|---|---|
| Topical agents | Azelaic acid • Benzoyl peroxide • Glycolic acid • Light therapy • Salicylic acid • Tea tree oil |
| Antibiotics | Clindamycin • Erythromycin • Sulfacetamide • Tetracyclines • Trimethoprim |
| Hormonal | Antiandrogens • Contraceptives |
| Retinoids | Adapalene • Isotretinoin • Tazarotene • Tretinoin |
de:cotrimoxazolnl:Co-trimoxazolsk:kotrimoxazol
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
