Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Trimethoprim is a synthetic (man-made)
antibiotic that interferes with the production of tetrahydrofolic acid, a
chemical that is necessary in order for bacteria and human cells to produce
proteins. Trimethoprim inhibits production of tetrahydrofolic acid by inhibiting
the enzyme responsible for making tetrahydrofolic acid from dihydrofolic acid.
Trimethoprim inhibits the bacterial enzyme more than the human enzyme.
Therefore, trimethoprim has less effect on the production of tetrahydrofolic
acid by humans. Because of the frequent development of resistance to
trimethoprim, it is more effective when combined with another antibiotic,
sulfamethoxazole
(Azo-Gantanol), and is rarely used alone. Trimethoprim was first approved by
the FDA in combination with sulfamethoxazole (for example, Bactrim, Septra) in
1973. It was approved as a stand-alone drug in 1980.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 100 and 200 mg. Solution: 50 mg/5 ml
STORAGE: Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86
F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Trimethoprim is used for the treatment of
uncomplicated urinary tract infections due to susceptible bacteria.
DOSING: The usual dose is 100 mg every 12 hours or 200 mg every 24
hours for 10 days. As with all antibiotics, it is important to complete the
entire course of trimethoprim even if symptoms improve early during therapy.
Persons with kidney diseases may need to receive lower doses since diseased
kidneys may not eliminate trimethoprim adequately from the body, and levels of
trimethoprim may increase in the body and lead to side effects.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Changes in one patient's mental status occurred
when a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole was given with
amantadine (Symmetrel). Blood levels of phenytoin (Dilantin) may be increased by
treatment with trimethoprim. This may lead to side effects of phenytoin such as
dizziness, and reduced attention. Trimethoprim also may increase blood levels of
digoxin (Lanoxin) and warfarin (Coumadin) and lead to serious toxic effects.
Anemia, due to a reduction in folic acid, can occur in persons receiving
trimethoprim in combination with divalproex, valproic acid
(Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depacon, Stavzor), methotrexate (Rheumatrex,
Trexall),
pyrimethamine, triamterene, or trimetrexate. The combination of trimethoprim and
cyclosporine can increase the risk of kidney damage from cyclosporine. When
trimethoprim and dapsone are used together, increased blood concentrations of
both drugs can occur, sometimes with side effects that include a toxic condition
of the blood called methemoglobinemia. Rifampin can increase the elimination of
trimethoprim by the kidneys and may reduce the effectiveness of trimethoprim.
PREGNANCY: Although there are no human studies that have examined the
effects of trimethoprim on the fetus, animal studies have shown adverse effects.
Therefore, the physician must weigh the potential risks to the fetus against the
potential benefits to the mother when considering trimethoprim therapy for
pregnant women.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, and/or urethra. Not
everyone with a UTI has symptoms. Common symptoms include a frequent urge to
urinate and a painful, burning when urinating.
Middle ear infection or inflammation (otitis media) is inflammation fo the middle ear. There are two types of otitis media, acute and chronic. Acute otitis media is generally short in duration, and chronic otitis media generally lasts several weeks. Seventy-five percent of children in the U.S. suffer from otitis media at some point. Treatment depends upon the type (chronic or acute).
Travelers should prepare for their trip by visiting their physician to get the proper vaccinations and obtain the necessary medication if they have a medical condition or chronic disease. Diseases that travelers may pick up from contaminated water or food, insect or animal bites, or from other people include malaria, meningococcal meningitis, yellow fever, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, polio, and cholera.
The liver, located in the right upper portion of the abdominal cavity just
beneath the right side of the rib cage, has many vital functions. Briefly, some
of these functions are:
Detoxification of blood
Production of important clotting factor and other important proteins
Metabolizing (processing) medications and nutrients
Processing of waste products of hemoglobin
Storing of vitamins, fat, cholesterol, and bile
Production of glucose
What are common liver blood tests?
Liver blood tests are some of the most commonly performed blood tests. These tests can assess liver functions or liver injury. An initial step in detecting liver damage is a simple blood test to determine the presence of certain liver enzymes (proteins) in the blood. Under normal circumstances, these enzymes reside within the cells of the liv...
Medication RSS
Healthy Living Tips
