Advice to patients
(39) Trimethoprim tablets
- 1. Trimethoprim works like an antibiotic. It is used to prevent and treat infections.
- 2. Try to remember to take the tablets regularly. Swallow them with a glass of water.
- 3. It is important that you complete the course of treatment, even if you feel better quickly, otherwise the infection may come back.
- 4. Food does not affect this medicine so you can take it with food or on an empty stomach.
- 5. Like most medicines, trimethoprim can have some unwanted effects. These include nausea, vomiting, itching and rashes. Tell your doctor if any unwanted effects are persistent or troublesome.
- 6. If you take trimethoprim for a long time (more than two weeks) it can occasionally affect the blood. If you have unusual bruising, bleeding, mouth ulcers, sore throat or a widespread rash you should contact your doctor straight away.
This series of "advice tips" on commonly used drugs is written by pharmacists from the Sussex Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit. It is intended as a reminder of points to be made by pharmacists as they hand out dispensed medicines. The list is not intended to be comprehensive but to cover some important points. Cards for sale: Sets of the first 25 "tips" are now available for sale as 12 x 15cm cards, supplied with a ring binder, at a cost of £9.95. Orders should be sent to Pharmacy Practice Consultants, 12 Firle Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0NZ, with cheques payable to Pharmacy Practice Consultants.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone
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