Co-Trimoxazole (Co-Trimoxazole)
Overview of Co-Trimoxazole
Cotrimoxazole is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. Cotrimoxazole is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections such as uncomplicated UTIs, respiratory tract infections, and gastrointestinal infections.
Indication of Co-Trimoxazole
Co-Trimoxazole is primarily indicated in conditions like Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, Anorectal infections, Brucellosis, Chancroid, Cholera, Chronic bronchitis, Diarrhoea, Genitourinary tract infections, GI infections, Gonorrhoea, Metastatic germ cell cancer, Oliguria due to renal failure, Oliguria due to renal failure, Oropharangeal candidiasis, Orophyrangeal infections, Osteomyelitis, Otitis media, Pneumocystis carinii infections, Pneumonia, Respiratory tract infections, Septicaemia, Skin infections, Squamous cell carcinoma, Travelers diarrhoea, Uncomplicated UTIs, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Cancer, Infections, Oliguria, Prostatic cancer, Salmonellosis.
Contraindication of Co-Trimoxazole
Co-Trimoxazole is contraindicated in conditions like Impaired renal function,Haematological disorders,Liver parenchymal damage,Hypersensitivity.
Side Effects of Co-Trimoxazole
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Co-Trimoxazole, which give rise to further complications include Thrombocytopenia, Aplastic anemia, Hemolytic anemia, Aplastic anemia, Hemolytic anemia, Stevens johnson syndrome, Stevens johnson syndrome, Leucopenia, Neutropenia, Agranulocytosis, Interstitial nephritis, Acute renal failure, Methemoglobinemia, Hemolytic anemia, Megaloblastic anemia, Crystalluria, Methemoglobinemia, Aplastic anemia.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Co-Trimoxazole are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Nausea, Vomiting, Skin reactions, Skin rashes, GI symptoms, Exfoliative dermatitis, Skin rashes.
Precautions of Co-Trimoxazole
Co-trimoxazole should be used with caution in patients with history of hypersensitivity to it or to sulphonamides or trimethomprim. Avoid use in patients with hepatic impairment. It should be used with caution in patients with known renal impairment and special measures should be adopted. Regular monthly blood counts, urinalyses and renal function tests should be carried out in patients receiving prolonged treatment with co-trimoxazole. Folate supplementation may be necessary in patients predisposed to folate deficiency, such as elderly patients and when high dose of co-trimoxazole are given for a prolonged period. Drug should be discontinued at first appearance of skin rash. Exercise caution when treating patients with severe hepatic parenchymal damage. It should be given with caution in patients with severe allergy or bronchial asthma.