Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet 160mg/800mg

About Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet 160mg/800mg

Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet Uses

• Urinary tract infections
• Acute and chronic bronchitis flare-ups
• Traveler's diarrhea caused by susceptible bacteria
• Middle ear infections in children
• Prevention and treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia in high-risk patients

Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet Benefits

• Combines two antibiotics that work better together than alone
• Effective against a wide range of common bacteria
• Available as an affordable, widely accessible tablet
• Useful for both treatment and long-term infection prevention

What Experts Say

Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole each block a different step in how bacteria make folic acid, a compound bacteria need to grow. Used together, they block this pathway at two points, making the combination more effective than either medicine alone and helping slow the development of resistance.

Doctors prescribe this combination for infections ranging from urinary tract infections to certain lung infections in patients with weakened immunity. It is also given preventively to people whose immune system cannot fight off Pneumocystis pneumonia on its own, such as those on long-term steroids or living with HIV.

This is a sulfa drug, and anyone with a known sulfa allergy should avoid it and mention this before any antibiotic is prescribed. People with a common blood condition called G6PD deficiency can develop serious anemia if given this medicine unknowingly. Drinking enough water while taking it also helps prevent crystals from forming in the urine.

Drug Class

• Sulfonamide Antibiotic Combination

Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet 160mg/800mg formula

• Trimethoprim
• Sulfamethoxazole

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet 160mg/800mg?

• Take with a full glass of water
• Take with food if it causes stomach upset
• Complete the full prescribed course even if feeling better
• Space doses evenly, usually every 12 hours
• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day while taking it

Drug Interactions

• Warfarin: This antibiotic can strengthen the effect of warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding.
• Methotrexate: Combining the two can raise methotrexate levels and increase toxicity risk.
• ACE Inhibitors and Potassium-Sparing Diuretics: Using these together can raise blood potassium levels to an unsafe degree.

Risks and warnings

• Sulfa Allergy: This medicine should be avoided in people with a known allergy to sulfa drugs.
• G6PD Deficiency: People with G6PD deficiency can develop severe hemolytic anemia from this combination.
• Severe Skin Reactions: Rare but serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been linked to sulfonamide antibiotics.
• Blood Cell Effects: Long-term use can rarely lower white blood cell or platelet counts.

Co-Trimoxazole DS Tablet Side Effects

• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Skin rash
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Dizziness

Storage Conditions

• Store at room temperature below 30°C
• Keep away from moisture and direct sunlight
• Keep the tablets in their original blister pack
• Keep out of reach of children.