Trisul 500 Tablets/Pack (Sulphamethoxazole/Trimethoprim)

Trisul general information

What is Trisul used for?

Trisul tablets 480mg are a combination antibiotic used to treat a variety of infections caused by susceptible bacteria in various parts of the body, when a single antibiotic has not eliminated the infection. These include infections of the urinary tract, such as cystitis, upper and lower respiratory tract, such as bronchits, genital tract infections such as gonorrhoea, and infections of the gastrointestinal system, such as gastroenteritis due to E.coli and shigellosis. It is also used for the treatment and prevention of Pneumocystis, which is a form of pneumonia caused by a type of fungus that lives in the lungs.

How does Trisul work?

Trisul tablets 480mg contain cotrimoxazole, a combination of two antibiotics trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole that block two consecutive steps in the biosynthetic pathway needed for bacterial DNA and protein synthesis. Sulfamethoxazole in Trisul tablets 480mg competes with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) which the bacterial cells use to make an important metabolite dihydrofolic acid. Trimethoprim in Trisul tablets 480mg inhibits a specific bacterial enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) that converts dihydrofolic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid. These combined actions of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole block bacterial folate biosynthesis, needed for making nucleic acids and proteins, preventing replication of the bacteria by bacteriostasis, which limits the growth of the bacteria and stops the spread of infection. Trisul tablets 480mg are effective against a wide range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus species, Enterobacter species Escherichia coli Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis.

What does Trisul contain?

Trisul tablets 480mg contains the active ingredient cotrimoxazole, which is a combination of two antibiotics; trimethoprim (80mg) and sulfamethoxazole (400mg) that are used in combination to treat a range of bacterial infections. They also contain docusate sodium, magnesium stearate, povidone and sodium starch glycollate.

Treating bacterial infection with Trisul

Trisul tablets 480mg contain cotrimoxazole, a combination of two antibiotics that are use to treat a variety of infections caused by susceptible bacteria in various parts of the body, when a single antibiotic has not eliminated the infection. These include infections of the urinary tract, such as cystitis, upper and lower respiratory tract, such as bronchits, genital tract infections such as gonorrhoea, and infections of the gastrointestinal system, such as gastroenteritis due to E.coli and shigellosis. It is also used for the treatment and prevention of Pneumocystis, which is a form of pneumonia caused by a type of fungus that lives in the lungs. Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole in Trisul tablets 480mg block two consecutive steps in the biosynthetic pathway needed for bacterial DNA and protein synthesis. Sulfamethoxazole Trisul tablets 480mg competes with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) which the bacterial cells use to make an important metabolite dihydrofolic acid. Trimethoprim in Trisul tablets 480mg inhibits a specific bacterial enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) that converts dihydrofolic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid. These combined actions of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole block bacterial folate biosynthesis, needed for making nucleic acids and proteins, which prevents replication of the bacteria by bacteriostasis, which limits the growth of the bacteria and stops the spread of infection.

What are the side effects of Trisul?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Trisul tablets 480mg include: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea sore mouth, skin rash, itching.

When should Trisul not be used?

You should not use Trisul tablets 480mg if you:

• are allergic to trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole or any ingredients in Trisul
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have kidney or liver disease
• have a folate deficiency
• have porphyria, a type of blood disorder
• are taking medicines that interact with Trisul, including: thiazide diuretics, the anti malarial pyrimethamine, the antiretrovirals zidovudine and lamivudine, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, the anticoagulant warfarin, the antiepileptic phenytoin, sulphonylurea antidiabetic drugs, other antifolate drugs like the anticancer drug methotrexate, digoxin for heart failure, procainamide for irregular heart beat, amantadine for Parkinson's disease
• are taking ACE Inhibitors: (Benazepril [Lotensin], Capotopril [Capoten], Enalapril [Vasotec], Lisinopril [Prinivil, Zestril], Accupril [Quinapril, Accuretic], Ramipril [Altace, Cardace]; ARBS (Angiotension Receptor Blockers): Candesartan [Atacand], Irebsartan [Avapro], Losartan [Cozaar, Cosart-H, ], Olmesartan [Benicar, Olmecip], Telmisartan [Micardis, Telsartan], Valsartan [Diovan, Valzaar]

What medications interact with Trisul?

Several medications interact with Trisul and should either not be taken while you are taking Trisul or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Trisul: thiazide diuretics, the anti malarial pyrimethamine, the antiretroviral zidovudine, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine
• Drugs that affect Trisul: procainamide for irregular heart beat, amantadine for Parkinson's disease
• Drugs that are affected by Trisul: the antiretroviral lamivudine, the anticoagulant warfarin, the antiepileptic phenytoin, sulphonylurea antidiabetic drugs, procainamide for irregular heart beat, amantadine for Parkinson's disease, digoxin for heart failure, other antifolate drugs like the anticancer drug methotrexate

How should Trisul be taken?

You should take your Trisul tablets 480mg with food, to reduce risk of upset stomach. The dose you day and how often depends on what you are being treated for. You should continue to take your Trisul tablets 480mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, but at least 5 days for most infections or for longer if necessary for the infection to clear.

How long should you take Trisul?

You should continue to take your Trisul tablets 480mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, but at least 5 days for most infections or for longer if necessary for the infection to clear.

Missed dose of Trisul

If you miss a dose of Trisul tablets 480mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Trisul be stored?

You should store your Trisul below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light.