Trimethoprim

Trimethoprim is an antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) such as cystitis. It is sold under several brand names, including Trimopan.

Whilst Trimethoprim is prescribed to treat other kinds of bacterial infections such as acne or chest infections, it is sold at euroClinix only for the treatment of UTIs.

You can buy the 200mg dose online at euroClinix. All you have to do is fill out a short and discreet consultation form with one of our registered doctors.

Please note: Trimethoprim is not the first-line treatment for cystitis. It can only be prescribed if a urine test has shown you have a UTI that is sensitive to Trimethoprim. Consult your GP if you are unsure.

Trimethoprim kills the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections by preventing them from making certain enzymes. This stops the bacteria from spreading and kills the infection.

Trimethoprim was designed to tackle specific types of bacteria such as E.coli. These bacteria tend to be more difficult to kill and are more likely to become resistant to treatment. For that reason, you must take Trimethoprim exactly as prescribed.

How long does it take for it to work?

Trimethoprim should start to relieve symptoms within 24 hours but it takes 3 days to clear the infection in most women completely. In men, Trimethoprim takes up to 7 days to treat the infection.

Some people may need a longer course of treatment. Consult your doctor if your infection has not cleared after your treatment course has ended.

When to take it

To treat cystitis, women should take 200mg twice daily.

For long-term treatment or prevention, your doctor will prescribe you 100mg twice daily.

You should take it once in the morning and once in the evening.

How to take it

Swallow each tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush, break or split tablets. This will alter the effectiveness of the medicine.

Trimethoprim can be taken with or without food. Taking it with food may help reduce side effects like nausea.

How long do I take it for?

You should take Trimethoprim for 3 days.

Even if you start to feel better, you must complete the full course of treatment.

Stopping treatment early could mean the infection comes back or becomes resistant to antibiotic treatment.

What to do if I miss a dose

If you forget to take a tablet at the correct time, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.

Do not take a double dose to make up for it. If you take more than your prescribed dose, consult your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

In addition to taking antibiotics, there are things you can do to help relieve UTI symptoms.

• Pee frequently - this will help to flush out the bacteria.
• Avoid sex - sex may irritate your symptoms.
• Use a hot water bottle - this may help naturally relieve some pain.
• Take paracetamol - this will help relieve any pain.
• Rest - rest will help your body recover from the infection.
• Practise good hygiene - this will help prevent further UTIs in the future.

Foods to include

The right nutrition is important when taking antibiotics for a UTI. This is because antibiotics can alter your gut bacteria. In addition, some foods may irritate the bladder and make UTI symptoms worse.

Below are some do’s and don’ts of foods when taking antibiotics.

Maintaining a balanced diet while on antibiotics is crucial for supporting your body’s recovery. Proper nutrition helps replenish beneficial bacteria in your gut, boosts your immune system, and ensures you get the necessary nutrients to heal effectively.

Silvia Fonda Nutritionist

You should also stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks that will dehydrate you such as caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. This helps flush out the bacteria and reduce side effects like diarrhoea.

Once you finish treatment, you should continue to eat high-fiber foods. This will continue to reduce the risk of diarrhoea and help to restore the balance of bacteria in your gut.

You could also take probiotics. These are supplements or foods that contain high amounts of good bacteria. These will also help restore your gut microbiota.

If you finish treatment and you are still experiencing symptoms or side effects, you should see your GP.

You should expect to start feeling better within a few days of taking it. However, you must keep taking the entire course of treatment even if you feel better. This is to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance and ensure your UTI is treated completely.

If you do not start to feel better once you have finished treatment, you may require another course of treatment. You should consult your doctor if Trimethoprim has not worked after 3 days.

You should also expect some side effects, especially side effects like sickness or diarrhoea. This is because antibiotics affect the balance of gut bacteria. However, these side effects are mild and should go away once you have finished treatment. You can also manage these side effects by eating well and staying hydrated.

If you still have side effects once you have completed treatment, or your symptoms get worse, please consult your doctor.

Taking Trimethoprim has several benefits:

• Rapid treatment - promptly relieves symptoms of UTIs.
• Stops the infection - effectively reduces the duration of the UTI.
• Short course of treatment - you only have to take it for 3 days.

The short treatment course means if you do experience any side effects, they will not last as long as antibiotics that have longer treatment courses.

For uncomplicated UTIs, Trimethoprim is a highly effective treatment. It eradicates over 90% of bacteria with a low rate of side effects when taken correctly.

However, Trimethoprim is not the first-line treatment as bacteria have become more resistant to it. Therefore, Trimethoprim is generally more effective if there is a low risk of antibiotic resistance.

Studies also show it carries a higher risk of side effects like high calcium levels and kidney problems than other antibiotics. So, Trimethoprim may be less effective than other treatments in certain circumstances.

You can take Trimethoprim for a urinary tract infection if the bacteria is sensitive to the drug. You will need to have a urine test to find out what type of bacteria is causing the infection.

It is safe for most adults and children over the age of 6. However, if you have a particular medical condition you should always check with your doctor.

Who cannot take it?

Do not take Trimethoprim if you:

• are allergic to Trimethoprim or any of the ingredients
• are pregnant
• have severe liver or kidney problems
• have a blood disorder (e.g. anaemia)

You should ask your doctor and take special care with Trimethoprim if you:

• have liver or kidney problems
• have a folic acid deficiency
• are at risk of high potassium levels in your blood (hyperkalaemia)
• have porphyria (a genetic blood disorder)

If you are unsure whether these factors apply to you, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Our doctors at euroClinix will be able to know if it’s suitable for you when you complete our consultation form about your medical history before prescribing you the medication.

As with all medications, there is a chance you may experience some side effects.

Some of the most common side effects of Trimethoprim include:

• diarrhoea
• electrolyte imbalance
• fungal overgrowth (e.g. vaginal thrush)
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• skin reactions

These side effects are usually mild and go away once you have finished treatment.

Mild side effects can also be managed with simple lifestyle tips. Staying hydrated and taking probiotics will help with diarrhoea. You can also take over-the-counter pain medicines for symptoms like headaches if suitable.

However, if your symptoms don’t go away or you experience more severe side effects, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Rare side effects

Rare side effects of Trimethoprim occur in up to 1 in every 10,000 people who take it. So, it is very unlikely you will experience any rare side effects. However, it’s important to know what to expect should you experience any.

For a full list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

Trimethoprim may interfere with other medicines you are taking, such as:

• anticoagulants - blood thinning medicines like warfarin
• diuretics - water tablets, like furosemide or eplerenone
• immunosuppressant drugs - used in cancer treatment or after an organ transplant
• certain antimalarials
• repaglinide - used to treat diabetes
• procainamide - used to treat an irregular heartbeat
• digoxin - used to treat certain heart conditions
• rifampicin - used to treat tuberculosis
• phenytoin - used to treat epilepsy

Speak to your doctor about using Trimethoprim if you take any of these medications. You may be at an increased risk of side effects.

How do I store Trimethoprim?

This medicine does not have any specific storage requirements. However, you should keep it out of sight and reach of children and do not use it past the expiry date.

No, Trimethoprim is not available over the counter. It is only available via prescription from a registered doctor. This is so the doctor can ensure the medicine is safe for you to use. However, if you cannot get to your GP, you can get a prescription from an online healthcare provider such as euroClinix.

Ordering Trimethoprim through euroClinix is simple and secure. Follow these steps:

1. Start a confidential online questionnaire from the top of this page. Completing it takes about 5-10 minutes.
2. A UK-registered doctor will review your consultation.
3. If approved, the doctor will issue an electronic prescription.
4. A licensed UK pharmacy sends your medication in discreet packaging. The pharmacy will also share tracking information. You get free with next-day delivery.

euroClinix offers ongoing support for any questions. Privacy and security are guaranteed through compliance with the relevant regulatory standards and the use of encrypted transactions.

euroClinix is a trusted online clinic that offers services in several European countries. All consultations and prescriptions are handled by our UK-registered doctors.

The process is convenient with online consultations and discreet home delivery. Our friendly customer service team is always happy to assist with any questions related to our services.

The euroClinix platform is user-friendly for managing prescriptions and reorders securely.

Choosing euroClinix ensures a trusted, professional, and supportive service to treat cystitis.

The price of Trimethoprim will depend on the healthcare provider. At euroClinix, we have competitive prices that include free delivery and consultation.

An alternative to Trimethoprim is Nitrofurantoin. This is the first-line treatment for common UTIs because it has a lower risk of bacterial resistance. Trimethoprim is typically only prescribed if the strain of bacteria causing the UTI is known to be sensitive to the drug. Otherwise, you will be prescribed Nitrofurantoin.

Nitrofurantoin is available from euroClinix in the form of prolonged-release capsules. This means the medicine lasts longer in the body and means you can take fewer tablets.

*According to a 2019 study published by the Open Forum for Infectious Diseases