Septran Tablets 80/400Mg (1 Strip = 10 Tablets)

Requires Prescription (YES/NO)

Yes

Generics

Sulfamethoxazole,Trimethoprim

Used For

Bacterial Infection

How it works

Sulfamethoxazole competitively inhibits the utilisation of para-aminobenzoic acid in the synthesis of dihydrofolate by the bacterial cell resulting in bacteriostasis. Trimethoprim reversibly inhibits bacterial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), an enzyme active in the folate metabolic pathway converting dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate. Depending on the conditions the effect may be bactericidal. Thus trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole block two consecutive steps in the biosynthesis of purines and therefore nucleic acids essential to many bacteria. This action produces marked potentiation of activity in vitro between the two agents. Trimethoprim binds to plasmodial DHFR but less tightly than to the bacterial enzyme. Its affinity for mammalian DHFR is some 50,000 times less than for the corresponding bacterial enzyme.

Dosage

Sulfamethoxazole,Trimethoprim

Side Effects

Weakness, fatigue, insomnia, vision troubles, alopecia, epistaxis, local thrombophlebitis at the site of injection, edema , Pseudomembranous enterocolitis, pancreatitis, stomatitis, glossitis, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, pyrosis, gastric intolerance, gastritis or gastroenteritis, dyspepsia emesis, abdominal pain, constipation, flatulence, diarrhea , Leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, megaloblastic anaemia, aplastic and hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, purpura, agranulocytosis, hypoprothrombinemia, eosinophilia, haemolysis in certain susceptible G-6-PD deficient patients and bone marrow depression , Arthralgia, rhabdomyolysis and myalgia

Drug Interactions

Thiazides , warfarin , Zidovudine , Cyclosporin , Rifampicin , Pyrimethamine , Phenytoin , Digoxin , Methotrexate , Lamivudine , Repaglinide , Folinic acid , Azathioprine .

Indication

It is used treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.

When not to Use

It is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to trimethoprim or sulfonamides and in patients with documented megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency. It is also contraindicated in pregnant patients at term and in nursing mothers, because sulfonamides pass the placenta and are excreted in the milk and may cause kernicterus. It is contraindicated in pediatric patients less than 2 months of age.

Precaution

In the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

Warning 1

It should be given with caution to patients with impaired renal or hepatic function, to those with possible folate deficiency (e.g., the elderly, chronic alcoholics, patients receiving anticonvulsant therapy, patients with malabsorption syndrome, and patients in malnutrition states), and to those with severe allergy or bronchial asthma .

Warning 2

Patients should be instructed to maintain an adequate fluid intake in order to prevent crystalluria and stone formation.

Warning 3

Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics which usually ends when the antibiotic is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as two or more months after having taken the last dose of the antibiotic. If this occurs, patients should contact their physician as soon as possible.

Pregnancy category

Always consult your physician before using any medicine.

Storage (YES/NO)

Store this medicine at room temperature, away from direct light and heat.