Side effects of trimethoprim

What is trimethoprim?

Trimethoprim is the name for an antibiotic that has the role to fight against bacteria in the body, and the doctors usually prescribe it in treatment of bladder infection that is induced by some bacteria. Before using this medicine, it is very important to inform the doctor about existing medical condition. It is not recommended to use it if the patient already has or had some problems or disease of the kidneys, liver or heart. Furthermore, the person must not use trimethoprim if he or she is allergic to some of the ingredient of this medicine. Moreover, anemia and folic acid insufficiency must also be reported to the doctor, because all these conditions may become worse when trimethoprim istaken.

If a woman is pregnant or if she plans to become pregnant, it is not advisable to use trimethoprim, because this drug may have some negative and unwanted effects on the unborn child. The woman must avoid using this medicine if she breastfeeds her newborn child.

Side effects of trimethoprim

Trimethoprim is a drug that has its adverse side effects like most medicines, and they can even appear in combination or in various forms. The most common side effect of trimethoprim is skin sensitivity to sunlight, which results in rashes, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, anaphylaxis and other conditions. In some cases, diffuse pneumonitis occurs as a side effect of this drug. Of dermatologic side effects, the most frequent are maculopapular, morbilliform and pruritic rashes, though phototoxic reactions are also reported as the adverse effects when trimethoprim is taken. Hives and itching are also very frequent side effects of trimethoprim.

Hyperkalemia and hyponatremia are two common metabolic side effects, while cholestatic jaundice and elevations of serum transaminases and bilirubin are two common hepatic side effects of this medicine. Gastrointestinal adverse effects that may appear when this drug is consumed are stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, as well as mild abdominal distress, glossitis, and pseudomembranous colitis. Aseptic meningitis is a nervous system side effect of trimethoprim, whereas of hematologic side effects, the most usual are leukopenia, megaloblastic anemia, neutropenia, andthrombocytopenia.

Some respiratory system side effects may occur, such as difficulty while breathing or pain in the chest. The most typical renal adverse effect of trimethoprim severe diarrhea, and bloody, black or tarry stools. Other very common side effects of this drug are swelling of the face, chills, fever, sore throat, jaundice and pain in muscles or joints as well as unexplained weakness and fatigue. Some persons that consumed this medicine reported irregular heartbeats, seizures, painful or stiff neck, vaginal irritation or discharge and decreased urination.