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Administration

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim may be administered orally without regard to meals. However, taking it with at least 8 ounces of water is best. It also has an intravenous formulation. The choice of oral or intravenously varies depending on the type of infection/or type of prophylactic use. It should not be administered intramuscularly. Patients with impaired renal function must have calculated dosing regimens based on renal function, as listed below. Administration of the 2 drugs is in a 1 to 5 ratio (trimethoprim:sulfamethoxazole) as a tablet formulation; this is so when they enter the body, their concentration throughout the blood/tissues is 1 to 20, which is the peak synergistic desired effect ratio of the 2 drugs in combination.[6]

Bacterial Infections

Oral dosage in adults and children weighing 40 kg (88 pounds) or more should have a single tablet of 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days. Children 2 months and older must have a weight-adjusted dosage.

Treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia/Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia

Adults/children, 2 months and older: The dose is also weight-adjusted. Usually, 75 to 100 mg per kilogram of body weight for sulfamethoxazole and 15 to 20 mg per kilogram for trimethoprim daily for 14 to 21 days.[6]

Prevention of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia/ pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

In adults, 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim are given daily. In children 2 months of age and older, dosages are determined by body size.[6]

Traveler’s Diarrhea

In adults, 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours for 5 days. For children 2 months and older, use and dosage vary.

Chronic Bronchitis

For acute exacerbations due to strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae, 1 tablet of 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days.[7]

Shigellosis

Enteritis caused by Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei: 1 tablet 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours for 5 days; antimicrobial resistance is an increasing concern in this infection.[8]

Urinary Tract Infections

Pyelonephritis

One tablet of 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours for 14 days

Prostatitis

One tablet of 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours for 14 days or 2 to 3 months if a chronic infection.[9]

Acne Vulgaris (Non-FDA Approved)

One tablet of 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours for 18 days

Community-Acquired Pneumonia (Non-FDA Approved)

One tablet of 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days

Renal impairment guidelines are as follows:

Use is not recommended in children younger than 2 months of age.

This post was last modified on December 13, 2024 3:29 pm