Inform your health care team if you have ever had a reaction to a sulfa drug.
WHY is this medication prescribed ?
Co-trimoxazole is a combination of two antibiotics used to prevent or treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). PCP
is more likely to occur as HIV disease progresses. It is also used to prevent other infections such as Toxoplasmosis.
HOW should this drug be taken ?
Your dosage is ___________________. You should drink a full glass of water with your dose of co-trimoxazole.
Co-trimoxazole is available as "single strength" tablets which are round white circles or it comes as "double strength"
tablets which are larger, white football-shaped tablets. Be sure you have the correct type of tablets for your dose. If you
have difficulty swallowing tablets, a liquid preparation is available. Co-trimoxazole can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food.
What should you do if you FORGET a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you remember your missed dose close to the time for your next
dose, do not double your dose, just continue with your regular dosing schedule.
What ADVERSE EFFECTS can this drug cause ? What should you do about them ?
Fever with or without a skin rash and itching is very common in patients with HIV taking co-trimoxazole and can take up
to 10 days to appear. If this occurs, call your physician. Sometimes, other medications can be used to control these
adverse effects so that you can continue to take, and get the benefit of co-trimoxazole. Desensitization protocols have
also been used with success. In the case that you cannot tolerate co-trimoxazole, other medications can be used to prevent or treat PCP.
Decreases in white blood cells (needed to help fight infection), red blood cells (needed to help carry oxygen around your
body), and platelets (needed to help your blood clot) can also occur. Usually, they do not decrease enough to stop your
therapy. It is important to keep your appointments for regular blood work so that any changes can be monitored.
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea uncommonly occur. If these effects do happen, take the drug with food. If
they remain bothersome, call the clinic. Co-trimoxazole may cause increases in various tests measuring liver function.
These increases serve as a signal to watch for liver damage but usually do not require any changes in therapy. This is another reason to keep your regular appointments so that blood levels can be monitored.
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS, PLEASE DISCUSS THEM WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE TEAM.
What other PRECAUTIONS should you follow while using this drug ?
Co-trimoxazole can make your skin more sensitive to the sun or sunlamps than usual. Therefore, wear protective clothing
and use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 whenever you are exposed to the sun or sunlamps for prolonged periods.
Ask your pharmacist to help you select a sunscreen which protects against drug-sun reactions.
Tell your physician or pharmacist what prescription or nonprescription medications you are currently taking. As well,
before beginning any new prescription or nonprescription medications, discuss them with your physician or pharmacist.
Use of co-trimoxazole during pregnancy needs to be discussed with your physician. Long term use of co-trimoxazole can
decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills and increase the incidence of breakthrough bleeding.
How should this medication be STORED ?
Co-trimoxazole should be kept at room temperature well out of the reach of children. Do not store in your bathroom or refrigerator.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS MEDICATION, PLEASE DISCUSS THEM WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE TEAM.
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