Trimethoprim/sulfadoxine
Trimethoprim/sulfadoxine is a combination medication used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. It is a fixed-dose combination of two antibiotics: trimethoprim and sulfadoxine. This combination results in an antibiotic with an increased spectrum of action and restored efficacy against sulfadoxine-resistant bacteria.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The name "trimethoprim/sulfadoxine" is derived from the names of its two component drugs. "Trimethoprim" is derived from the chemical name 2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine. The name "sulfadoxine" is derived from the chemical name 4-amino-N-(5,6-dimethoxy-4-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulfonamide.
Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
Trimethoprim and sulfadoxine work together to block the production of folic acid in bacteria. Folic acid is necessary for bacteria to synthesize DNA, RNA, and proteins. By blocking its production, the growth of bacteria is inhibited.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Trimethoprim/sulfadoxine is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, bronchitis, and ear infections. It is also used to prevent and treat Pneumocystis pneumonia in people with weakened immune systems.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Common side effects of trimethoprim/sulfadoxine include nausea, vomiting, and skin rash. Serious side effects may include bone marrow suppression, liver problems, and severe allergic reactions.
Related Terms[edit | edit source]
| Trimethoprim/sulfadoxine Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
