Cotrimox

Cotrimox is used to treat certain bacterial infections, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), bronchitis (infection of the tubes leading to the lungs), and infections of the urinary tract, ears, and intestines. It also is used to treat 'travelers' diarrhea.

Cotrimox should be taken for at least five days. Make sure that you finish the course of Cotrimox which your doctor has prescribed.

The recommended treatment lasts 21 days. It may be possible to switch to tablet form of Septrin if you respond well to the treatment. It may take five to seven days before you start to feel better. You may also be given a steroid, prednisone, to relieve your symptoms.

Cotrimox can be used to treat or prevent: Lung infections (pneumonia or PJP) caused by a bacteria called Pneumocystis jirovecii. Infections caused by a bacteria called Toxoplasma (toxoplasmosis).

Cotrimox is a combination antibiotic. It can be taken by people who are allergic to penicillin, but it is not suitable for people who are allergic to sulfonamides.

Treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in an era of increasing antimicrobial resistance. Because of the high concentration of the drug in the urine and the favorable course of uncomplicated cystitis, a 3-day treatment of Cotrimox can be given to patients with this disease.

If you use too much Cotrimox cream, spray or solution or use it more often than you need to, it may make your skin red or irritated. If this happens, use less the next time.

Cotrimox cream, spray and solution can be used by most adults and children.

Cotrimox is not suitable for everyone. To make sure it's safe for you, tell a doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Cotrimox or any other medicines in the past.

Apply Cotrimox to the affected area 2 to 3 times a day. It will work better if you use it 3 times a day.

If the affected area is large or hairy, it's best to use either the spray or solution.

If you're using Cotrimox on your feet, make sure you wash and thoroughly dry your feet, especially between your toes, before applying Cotrimox.

Apply Cotrimox cream to the affected area. Use the cream on your skin only. A strip of cream (0.5cm long) is enough to treat an area the size of your hand. Avoid putting it near your mouth, lips and eyes.

If you're using the Cotrimox spray for the first time, prepare the spray by pressing the spray head down once or twice. Hold and spray about 15cm away from the affected area.

Apply Cotrimox solution thinly and evenly to the affected areas.

A few drops of Cotrimox solution should be enough to cover an area the size of a hand.

If your ear is infected, put 2 to 3 drops of Cotrimox solution into your ear.

If you forget to use Cotrimox, do not worry. Just apply it as soon as you remember and then keep following your usual routine.

Like all medicines, Cotrimox can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Side effects usually go away when you stop using it.

At the recommended dose side effects are rare and mild. About 75% of the untoward effects involve the skin. Exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's syndrome) are rare. Nausea and vomiting constitute the bulk gastrointestinal reactions. Diarrhoea, glossitis, and stomatitis are uncommon. Hematological reactions include various types of anemia, granulocytopenia, purpura and agranulocytosis.

Cotrimox is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy.

Cotrimox is generally considered safe to use while you're breastfeeding.

If your baby is being treated for oral thrush you can carry on breastfeeding but you'll need to be treated at the same time. Apply Cotrimox cream on and around your nipples after each time you breastfeed your baby.

Cotrimox works by killing the fungus (yeast) that is causing the infection.

Cotrimox kills fungus by causing holes to appear in its cell membrane and the contents leak out. This kills the fungus and treats the infection.

The symptoms of fungal infections, such as itching or soreness, should get better within a few days of treatment. Red and scaly skin may take longer to get better.

You may need treatment for 1 to 4 weeks.

Keep using Cotrimox for 2 weeks even if your symptoms have gone. This will stop the infection coming back.

Talk to a doctor if your symptoms do not get better within 7 days.

Talk to a doctor if your symptoms do not get better within 7 days. You may need a longer course of treatment or a stronger medicine.

Do not use Cotrimox cream, spray or solution for more than 4 weeks, unless a doctor tells you to.

A fungal infection can become resistant to Cotrimox, which means it will no longer work properly.

There are other antifungal medicines that are similar to Cotrimox, including:

• econazole (cream)
• miconazole (cream, spray powder, powder)
• ketoconazole (cream)
• terbinafine (cream, gel, spray, solution)
• griseofulvin (spray)

These are all available to buy from a pharmacy.

Cotrimox will not affect the combined pill or emergency contraception.

Cotrimox treatments have no effect on the fertility of men or women.

If you have a fungal skin infection, these tips may help:

• do not scratch the area with the infection as this will damage the surface of the skin and the infection could spread.
• keep the affected areas of skin clean.
• keep the affected areas of skin dry where possible, but do not rub too much with a towel.
• do not share towels with other people as you could spread the infection to them.
• always wash your hands after treating the infection to stop it from spreading.