Cotrimoxazole 960 mg Tablets (Septrin)

Description

How to use

One double-strength tablet twice daily, twelve hours apart, or exactly as prescribed. Take it after food with a full glass of water, and keep your fluid intake high through the course, which reduces the small risk of crystals forming in the urine. Complete the course. Where it has been prescribed as daily prophylaxis rather than for an acute infection, take it every single day without breaks, and obtain the next pack before the current one runs out, because interrupted prophylaxis does not protect.

Important warnings

The critical warning is the rash. Cotrimoxazole is among the drugs most associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, in which a rash blisters, the lips, eyes and mouth become sore and the skin peels. Any new rash means stop the tablet and get seen the same day; do not wait to see whether it settles. Avoid in sulfonamide allergy, significant liver or kidney disease, severe blood disorders, G6PD deficiency and in late pregnancy. Report unusual bruising, bleeding gums, a sore throat with fever, or marked pallor. Tell your prescriber about methotrexate, warfarin, phenytoin, ACE inhibitors, spironolactone and potassium supplements.

Storage

Store below 25 degrees Celsius in a dry place, protected from light and moisture, and out of reach of children. Keep tablets in their blister until each dose. Do not use after the expiry date on the pack. Where the tablets are taken as long-term prophylaxis, keep the supply somewhere you will see it daily, since the value of prophylaxis lies entirely in it being taken without gaps.