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.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone
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