Article: Co-trimoxazole

Co-trimoxazole (abbreviated SXT, TMP-SMX, or TMP-sulfa) is an antibiotic combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, in the ratio of 1 to 5, used in the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections. The name co-trimoxazole is the British Approved Name, and has been marketed worldwide under many trade names including Septrin (GSK), Bactrim (Roche), and various generic preparations. According to the American Hospital Formulary Service, "co-trimoxazole usually is bactericidal." Other sources list this antibiotic as bacteriostatic.

Synergistic action

Co-trimoxazole exhibits a synergistic antibacterial effect when compared to each of its components administered singly. This is because trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole inhibit successive steps in the folate synthesis pathway (see diagram below).

Tetrahydrofolate synthesis pathway

Sulfamethoxazole acts as a false-substrate inhibitor of dihydropteroate reductase. Sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole are analogues of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and are competitive inhibitors of the enzyme; inhibiting the production of dihydropteroic acid.

Trimethoprim acts by interfering with the action of bacterial dihydrofolate reductase, inhibiting synthesis of tetrahydrofolic acid.

Folic acid is an essential precursor in the de novo synthesis of the DNA nucleosides thymidine and uridine. Bacteria are unable to take up folic acid from the environment (i.e. the infection host) thus are dependent on their own de novo synthesis - inhibition of the enzyme starves the bacteria of two bases necessary for DNA replication and transcription.

Clinical indications

Co-trimoxazole is more effective than either of its components individually in treating bacterial infections, though it is associated with a greater incidence of adverse effects including allergic responses (see below). Its widespread use has been restricted in many countries to very specific circumstances where its improved efficacy is demonstrated. It may be effective in a variety of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, renal and urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal tract infections, skin and wound infections, septicaemias and other infections caused by sensitive organisms.

Specific indications for its use include: (Rossi, 2004)

• treatment and prophylaxis of pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci (P. carinii)
• infections caused by Listeria monocytogenes, Nocardia spp., Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (Zanthomonas maltophilia)
• melioidosis
• shigellosis
• traveller's diarrhoea
• prophylaxis of cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV patients
• Whipple's disease

Safety

There has been some concern about its use, however, since it has been associated with both frequent mild allergic reactions and rare but serious adverse effects including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, myelosuppression, agranulocytosis, as well as severe liver damage (cholostatic hepatosis, hepatitis, liver necrosis, fulminant liver failure) and renal impairment up to acute renal failure and anuria. These side-effects are seen especially in the elderly and may be fatal. (Joint Formulary Committee, 2004)

In some countries, co-trimoxazole has been withdrawn due to these toxic effects.

Thus the current British Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) guidelines recommend limiting its use to:

• Pneumocystis jiroveci (P. carinii) pneumonia
• Toxoplasmosis and nocardiosis
• acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and infections of the urinary tract where there is good rationale for use
• acute otitis media in children where there is good rationale