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Co-trimoxazole |
Generic Name: Co-trimoxazole
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Prescription Drug:
Septrin infusion, tablets, forte tablets and suspensions all contain the active ingredients sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, which together are known as co-trimoxazole. (NB. Co-trimoxazole is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug.) Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are both antibiotics that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
Sulfamethoxazole (previously spelt sulphamethoxazole in the UK) is a type of antibiotic called a sulphonamide. Trimethoprim is related to the sulphonamides. These two antibiotics work in synergy together against certain types of bacteria.
In order to grow and multiply in numbers, bacterial cells need to produce genetic material (DNA). To produce DNA they require folic acid (folate). However, bacterial cells can't take up folic acid supplied in the diet like human cells can. Instead, they synthesise it themselves.
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim act on two different stages in the synthesis of bacterial folate, preventing the bacteria from producing folate. Without folate, the bacteria cannot produce DNA and so are unable to increase in numbers. Co-trimoxazole therefore stops the spread of infection. The remaining bacteria are killed by the immune system or eventually die.
To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to co-trimoxazole, your doctor may take a tissue sample, for exampl | |
