Informational only — Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Community data Updated 2 months ago

Indications

Cotrimoxazole is bactericidal in vitro to a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, including Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Pneumococcus, Neisseria, B. catarrhalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus spp., Haemophilus, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae, Brucella, Pneumocystis ... Read moreCotrimoxazole is bactericidal in vitro to a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, including Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Pneumococcus, Neisseria, B. catarrhalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus spp., Haemophilus, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae, Brucella, Pneumocystis carinii, Nocardia and Bordetella. A particularly high degree of activity is exhibited against Haemophilus influenzae, E. coli and Proteus spp., making Cotrimoxazole particularly suitable for the treatment of chronic bronchitis and urinary tract infections. Cotrimoxazole exerts its bactericidal action by the sequential blockade of two bacterial enzyme systems in the biosynthesis of Folinic acid in the micro-organisms. The synergy thus produced accounts for the high degree of bactericidal activity.Sitrim is indicated in: Respiratory tract infections, including acute and chronic bronchitis (treatment and prophylaxis), bronchiectasis, lung abscess, lobar and broncho-pneumonia, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis, sinusitis and otitis media. Genito-urinary tract infections, including urethritis, acute and chronic cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis and gonorrhoea. Gastro-intestinal tract infections, caused by Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi, including the chronic carrier state. Other infections, caused by a wide range of organisms confirmed to be susceptible to Cotrimoxazole and where the therapeutic benefits are considered to outweigh the possible occurrence of adverse events. Such infections include acute and chronic osteomyelitis, acute brucellosis, skin infections including pyoderma, abscesses and wound infections, septicaemia, bacillary dysentery and cholera (as an adjuvant to fluid and electrolyte replacement), nocardiosis and mycetoma.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Cotrimoxazole is a broad-spectrum bactericidal agent effective against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as some protozoa. It combines Trimethoprim and Sulphamethoxazole in a 1:5 ratio, which together produce their bactericidal effect by sequentially blocking two bacterial enzyme systems involved in the microorganism's biosynthesis of folinic acid.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy and while breastfeeding: sulphonamides cross the placenta and pass into breast milk, and may cause kernicterus.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Cotrimoxazole double strength tablet: over 12 years. For mild to moderate infections, take 1 tablet twice daily. For severe infections, take 1.5 tablets twice daily. For long term therapy of more than 14 days, take 0.5 tablet twice daily. For gonorrhoea, take 2 tablets every 12 hours for two days, or 2.5 tablets followed by a further dose of 2.5 tablets after 8 hours. Cotrimoxazole tablet: over 12 years. For mild to moderate infections, take 2 tablets twice daily. For severe infections, take 2 tablets thrice daily. For long term therapy of more than 14 days, take 1 tablet twice daily. Cotrimoxazole suspension: under 12 years. For 6 to 12 years, take 2 teaspoonfuls twice daily. For 6 months to 5 years, take 1 teaspoonful twice daily. For 6 weeks to 6 months, take 0.5 teaspoonful twice daily.