Co-trimoxazole 480 mg is an antibiotic medication used to treat and prevent a variety of bacterial infections, most commonly respiratory tract infections (such as pneumonia and bronchitis), urinary tract infections, ear infections, gastrointestinal infections (including diarrhea and cholera), prostatitis, and some less common conditions such as brucellosis, plague, and specific forms of pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci[1][2][3][6].
- Respiratory infections: Chronic bronchitis, pneumonia (including pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci), otitis media.
- Urinary tract infections: Acute and chronic UTIs, treatment and prophylaxis when sensitive bacteria are present.
- Gastrointestinal infections: Traveler’s diarrhea, shigellosis, cholera.
- Other infections: Prostatitis, brucellosis, plague, toxoplasmosis, and certain infections that occur in patients with weakened immune systems, such as HIV-associated pneumonia.
Co-trimoxazole contains two active ingredients: sulfamethoxazole (400 mg) and trimethoprim (80 mg). Together, these components work by blocking bacterial folic acid synthesis at two consecutive steps, thereby preventing DNA production and promoting bacterial death[1][3][5].
This medication is not effective against viral infections. It is usually reserved for more serious bacterial infections or for use when other antibiotics are unsuitable or unsuccessful due to its association with some potentially serious side effects[4].
References
- [1] What is Cotrimoxazole 480mg used for? – Vinmec
- [2] Co-trimoxazole: MedlinePlus Drug Information
- [3] Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
- [4] Co-trimoxazole for infection. Side effects and dosage – Patient.info
- [5] Cotrimoxazole: Side Effects, Contraindications and Dosage
- [6] Co-Trimoxazole 80 mg/400 mg Tablets – (emc) | 6999
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