TRIMETHOPRIM What should you do if you FORGET a symptoms such as fever, chills, dose? shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat,

 fatigue, bleeding or bruising. Other NAMES : Proloprim If you miss a dose of trimethoprim, take

it as soon as possible. However, if it is Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal WHY is this drug prescribed? time for your next dose, do not double cramps are not common. If these

the dose, just carry on with your regular effects do happen, take the drug with Trimethoprim is an antibiotic used in schedule. food. If they remain bothersome, call combination with dapsone  your doctor or pharmacist. Stomatitis (Avlosulfon ) to treat Pneumocystis Why should you not forget to take (inflammation and sores in the mouth), carinii pneumonia (PCP). It is also this drug? headache , joint pain, fatigue and used to treat various types of bacterial muscle weakness may also occur. infections. If you miss doses of trimethoprim, your

infection may continue or worsen. In Trimethoprim may cause increases in HOW should this drug be taken? such a situation, you may need to take liver enzymes, bilirubin and

other drugs. Therefore, it is extremely potassium levels . This will be Trimethoprim is available as 100 mg important that you take trimethoprim for monitored when you come for your and 200 mg tablets. the entire duration of the treatment. laboratory tests.

The usual dose of trimethoprim for the What ADVERSE EFFECTS can this treatment of PCP depends on your It is important that you keep your drug cause? What should you do weight. The dose may also need to be doctor appointments and come for about them? adjusted if you have kidney problems. your laboratory tests so that your

The dose is usually given 3 or 4 times a progress can be followed. day. Trimethoprim may cause a skin rash, itchiness , and an increased What other PRECAUTIONS should Trimethoprim can be taken with food or sensitivity of the skin to the sun . you follow while using this drug? on an empty stomach. If it upsets your Consult a doctor immediately if you stomach, take it with food. develop a rash. Before starting trimethoprim, notify your doctor and pharmacist if you have ever Your dosage is: Decreases in white blood cells had an allergic reaction to trimethoprim (needed to help fight infection), red or co-trimoxazole (Septra , Bactrim ). 100 mg tablet blood cells (needed to help carry Also, inform your doctor if you have 200 mg tablet oxygen around your body), and kidney or liver problems. platelets (needed to help your blood ___tablet(____mg) ____times a day clot) can also occur. Usually, they do Trimethoprim can make your skin more not decrease enough to stop your sensitive to the sun or sunlamps. therapy. It is important to keep your Therefore, wear protective clothing and appointments for regular blood work so use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of that any changes can be monitored. 15 whenever you are exposed to the Please inform your doctor if you develop sun. You should also avoid sunlamps. Ask your pharmacist to help select a sunscreen that protects against drug- Do not store in your bathroom or kitchen, as sun reactions. heat and moisture may cause the drug to be less active. Trimethoprim may interfere with many drugs. Inform your doctor and If you have any questions or concerns pharmacist of all prescribed and non- about this drug or if you are prescribed drugs you are taking. As experiencing adverse effects, please well, you should inform them of natural discuss them with your pharmacist, TRIMETHOPRIM products you are taking. If you wish to doctor or nurse. start a new drug or natural product, please consult with your pharmacist Write questions or concerns down to before doing so. ensure they are addressed.

In particular, please notify your doctor The following pharmacist is available to and pharmacist if you are taking the answer questions: following drugs: Pharmacist: ______MEDICATION - Methotrexate  - Phenytoin (Dilantin ) Telephone: ______ - Procainamide (Pronestyl )  FACT SHEET - Pyrimethamine (Daraprim ) - Zidovudine (Retrovir )

Trimethoprim should NOT be given if

you are pregnant. Also, breastfeeding

should be avoided while you are taking

trimethoprim. In general, breastfeeding

is NOT recommended if you have HIV

as you can transmit the virus to your baby through your breast milk.

How should this drug be STORED?

Trimethoprim tablets should be stored in a cool (15-30 °C) dry place, protected

from light and well out of the reach of children. Ensure that the drug has not Reference: Product Monograph Proloprim  (trimethoprim). expired by checking the expiry date Saint-Laurent, Qc, Canada: GlaxoSmithKline, 2002. Prepared by the Ontario HIV Pharmacy Professional (“EXP”) shown on the outside of the Specialty Group, 2003. Reviewed 2009. package. Additional medication fact sheets and updates may be found at: www.hivclinic.ca